DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Rutgers
DePaul Drops Allstate Arena Opener 66-59
11/17/2016 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
ROSEMONT, Ill. - What the Blue Demons wanted as they took the court Thursday night was a strong start to their final season at Allstate Arena.
Unfortunately, DePaul ended up falling to Rutgers 66-59 at the Gavitt Tipoff Games annual series between the BIG EAST and Big Ten Conferences.
The Blue Demons saw their record drop to 1-1 while Rutgers improved to 3-0. Eli Cain led DePaul with 24 points on 8-of-13 shooting including 5-of-7 from three-point range.
The Scarlet Knights had a strong night on the backboards, outrebounding the home team 46-27.
Ahead by seven at halftime, Rutgers took control from the outset of the second half. Opening with a 13-2 run provided the Scarlet Knights with a 46-28 lead. The lead grew to 50-30 midway through the second half. Cain provided a late spark, but DePaul could not come any closer than six down the stretch.
DePaul missed its first six shots and didn't get on the board until Billy Garrett Jr. hit a pair of free throws nearly five minutes into the game. Darrick Wood, Chris Harrison-Docks and Al Eichelberger energized the Blue Demons off the bench for a 14-12 lead.
It was back and forth until Rutgers went on a 13-4 run late in the first half to secure a 33-26 halftime lead. The Scarlet Knights were pounding the boards, outrebounding DePaul 29-8 in the first 20 minutes for an 11-0 advantage in second-chance points.
The Blue Demons will look to get back on the winning track with a 12:30 p.m. game Sunday against Milwaukee at Allstate Arena.
Postgame Notes
- The Blue Demons opened their 37th and final season in Rosemont at Allstate Arena... DePaul is now 336-176 all-time in Rosemont.
- DePaul is 0-2 in the Gavitt Tipoff Games... the Blue Demons also lost at Penn State last season.
- Eli Cain reached double-figures and scored at least 20 points for the second time in as many games this season... he has reached double-figures in 18 of 33 career games with six career 20-point games.
- Rutgers leads the series, 7-4... Thursday was the first meeting between the two programs since the two schools were members of the BIG EAST from 2005-13... DePaul is 84-77 all-time against the current lineup of Big Ten programs.
