DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Seton Hall
Blue Demons Bounce Seton Hall for Second Time
2/3/2015 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
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ROSEMONT, Ill. - Jamee Crockett had it going all night before giving way to DePaul's version of the baseball closer, Billy Garrett Jr.
Crockett scored 21 points and Garrett had 20---nine in the final four minutes---as the Blue Demons knocked off Seton Hall 75-62 in a critical BIG EAST Conference game.
DePaul (12-12, 6-5) moves past Seton Hall (15-7, 5-5) into fifth place in the league standings. The sixth BIG EAST win is the most since the 2007-08 season when the Blue Demons finished 6-12. DePaul swept the season series from the Pirates.
"The last six minutes of the game, we were flawless," said DePaul coach Oliver Purnell. "What we concentrate on is not turning the ball over, getting a good shot, be solid on defense and make your free throws.
"This was one of our better defensive games of the year. We came out strong on the defensive end led by Rashaun Stimage (eight points, seven rebounds, three blocks one steal). He blocked a few shots and altered the tempo of the game.
Garrett had another way of describing the 6-foot, 8-inch power forward.
"He's just an animal out there," Garrett said. "I just wish everyone could see the kind of player he is. He missed so much because of an injury. But his defense and rebounding make such a difference."
Ultimately, the difference in this one was DePaul outscoring Seton Hall 14-1 in the final four minutes. Along with Garrett's nine points was a dagger of a three-pointer from NBA distance by Durrell McDonald and a McDonald layup at the end.
"We stayed with our game plan during the 14-1 run, played good defense and kept them from making shots," Garrett said. "We weren't making our threes, but our defense kept us in the game. We finally started hitting some threes (Crockett, Garrett, McDonald) at the end."
A Henry three-pointer sparked an 8-2 Blue Demon burst to secure a 50-46 lead in the middle of the second half. Back-to-back buckets by Garrett and Rashaun Stimage made it 54-48.
Seton Hall crept to within 54-53 on five consecutive free throws when Crockett delivered once again to restore a three-point margin.
DePaul's foul trouble allowed Seton Hall to make 20 of its first 22 free throw attempts. At the 4:21 mark with the game tied at 61, the Blue Demons had attempted just seven free throws.
"Gibbs is one of the best players I've guarded in college," Crockett said. "Going against him elevates my game."
Purnell certainly took notice.
"He was terrific tonight," Purnell said. "I can't remember Jamee playing a better game on both ends of the court. He guarded Gibbs who got a lot of his points (7-for-7) from the free throw line. We rode Jamee on offense for a while.
"Jamee and Rashaun were our defensive anchors. Jamee was harassing the ballhandlers and Rashaun was really tough under the basket.
"This was a very important win for us tonight considering we travel to Butler and St. John's for our next two games."
Myke Henry (11 points, six rebounds, three steals) and Garrett scored at the outset of the second half in extending a 35-33 halftime advantage to 39-33. Sterling Gibbs (21 points) led the Pirates on a 9-2 run as Seton Hall moved in front 42-41. He and Crockett were staging quite a battle as they went head-to-head at both ends of the court. A Crockett free throw tied it up.
"I've been in a little slump," Crockett said. "The game tonight was me being more aggressive. We've got a good team that is not taking no for an answer.
"We're resilient. When we played them at their place, they manhandled us in the paint. We emphasized that tonight."
Another point of emphasis from Purnell as DePaul won the battle of the boards 37-27.
"It's difficult to have a good defensive game unless you rebound the ball," Purnell said. "Stimage was big for us down there."
In his second start of the season, Stimage came out with a purpose. The junior forward had one basket, three blocked shots and one steal in the first four minutes in helping DePaul spurt out to an 11-4 lead. Garrett had a three-pointer and two free throws in the game-opening run.
Jumpers by Crockett and Darrick Wood left the Blue Demons in front 15-9 by the second media timeout. That's when Seton Hall went on a 9-2 burst in taking an 18-17 lead. The Pirates led 21-19 when Crockett and Henry scored back-to-back for a 23-21 DePaul advantage.
After being held to eight points on 2-of-16 two weeks ago in a 64-60 DePaul road win, Gibbs was attacking early and the Pirates' best player had seven points in the first 14 minutes.
Down by four, Henry, Forrest Robinson and Crockett (two baskets) combined to put the Blue Demons on top 31-27. Two more Crockett jumpers provided the home team with a 35-33 halftime lead.
In the first 20 minutes, Crockett scored 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting while adding three assists and one steal. Going against the nation's foremost three-point shooting defense, DePaul connected on just one long-distance shot in 11 attempts and finished 5 of 21.
Another BIG EAST challenge awaits the Blue Demons on Saturday when they travel to Indianapolis for a 2:30 p.m. showdown with No. 22/22 Butler.
Postgame Notes: The nine home wins are the most since DePaul went 14-2 at home during the 2006-07 season... DePaul's six BIG EAST wins are the most since the Blue Demons went 6-12 in the BIG EAST in 2007-08... DePaul's highest BIG EAST win total is nine during the 2006-07 campaign... DePaul's last regular-season sweep of a BIG EAST opponent was against USF during the 2006-07 season... Billy Garrett Jr. recorded his 40th career game in double-figures... it was also his fifth career 20-point game... Jamee Crockett recorded his fourth career 20-point game... the game was the first since Feb. 22, 2014 against Marquette with two players scoring at least 20 points... Brandon Young scored 29 and Garrett scored 26 against the Golden Eagles... Seton Hall leads the series, 10-6... DePaul has won the last three meetings between the two programs.
