DePaul University Athletics
Gage Gets It Going in Comeback Win
12/20/2016 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO - You could sense the wave of confidence emanating from Devin Gage the last two games as the talented freshman guard is finding his way in the world of big-time Division I basketball.
It began with his nine-point, seven-assist, three-steal effort in DePaul's 109-61 victory over Chicago State last Saturday.
Two days later, with the Blue Demons struggling in the first half against Southeast Missouri State, it was the rookie who steadied the course and helped ignite an 81-78 comeback win at Allstate Arena.
Gage came off the bench early in the second half to score eight of DePaul's first 10 points and kept his team within striking distance until Billy Garrett Jr. (19 points, eight assists) and Eli Cain (15 points) finished off the Redhawks in the second game of the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic.
"It felt great," said Gage who finished with a season-high 11 points. I've been in a slump up until the last couple of games.
"At halftime, coach Leitao was telling me I had to come out with more energy and he wanted me to drive to the basket more. I had to get the team going and give them a spark.
"The guys on the bench could see we needed something. Once the bench guys like myself and R.J. Curington (13 points) got the team going, it gave the starters a spark, too."
It was DePaul coach Dave Leitao who wanted to light a fire under his team during intermission.
"We turned it around during halftime, and coach was really letting us have it," said Gage, who led Curie to the Class 4A state title last year. "I can't repeat what he said, but his halftime talk helped us come together as a group. When we get down, it's my job to help bring us back.
"We've done it before in comeback wins against Drake and Missouri State. We have a group of fighters, and we know what to do. I've never seen team camaraderie like ours. There's a trust in each other to do our job."
Coming all the way back from a 14-point deficit with 13:39 left in the second half left its mark with Leitao.
"Getting a win is good, especially when you come back like that," Leitao said. "You need to respect the game to have the proper mindset. We started out like that and then it disappeared until the second half.
"After halftime, our energy picked up after going to the three-quarter court press. We switched to a zone defense and that got them back on their heels a little bit.
"I'm proud of the guys getting 20 assists on 28 baskets. That's the second game in a row we've had 20 or more assists. They are learning---and sharing. Another comeback win tells me we have something in that locker room that's pretty good."
And that would include a freshman who is coming into his own.
"I've been telling Devin he has to play with more energy and be an attacker," Leitao said. "I'll take my chances giving him the ball when he's on the attack. He gave the team a big lift with three key layups and took it upon himself to get us going. He started the comeback and then Billy and Eli finished it."
As he was at Curie, Gage was once again a difference-maker when it counted.
The difference tonight was that in other games, I wasn't using my speed. Coach emphasized that I needed to use my speed to open up shots for myself and for other people. He put his trust in me, and if he feels that is what I am capable of doing, then that's what I'm going to do.
I had to turn it up in the second half and do whatever coach Leitao asked. Listening played a big part in today's win---and I mean everybody on the team.
After hosting its first two Classic games, DePaul's third game is Thursday in Las Vegas against Wyoming. It will tip off at 7:30 p.m. and be televised on FS1.
