DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Villanova
DePaul Nearly Pulls Off Upset Bid in BIG EAST Opener
12/28/2016 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
VILLANOVA, Pa. - DePaul pushed top-ranked Villanova to the brink and Billy Garrett Jr.'s bid for a game-tying three-pointer just missed at the buzzer as the Wildcats escaped with a 68-65 win Wednesday night. Tre'Darius McCallum led the Blue Demons with 19 points and seven rebounds while Garrett added 17 with four assists.
The Blue Demons opened the scoring with buckets from Garrett and McCallum before Villanova quickly put together a 10-0 run to take the lead.
DePaul sustained the early run as Villanova wasn't able to extend the advantage any higher than nine points in the first half. Garrett's drive through the lane for a layup pulled the Blue Demons to within six late in the opening frame before Josh Hart's two free throws gave Villanova a 32-24 lead at halftime.
Villanova (13-0, 1-0 BIG EAST) attempted to put DePaul away in the second half as the Wildcats built a 12-point advantage with 11:08 left in the game.
Over the next five minutes, DePaul (7-7, 0-1 BIG EAST) scored 14 straight points with a three by McCallum to tie the game followed by a tip-in by Joe Hanel. Hanel's bucket made the score 53-51 with 6:02 on the clock.
The lead went back-and-forth over the remainder of the evening before Villanova's Josh Hart knocked down a three-pointer with nine seconds left to give the Wildcats a four-point advantage. Garrett answered with a three-point play before Jalen Brunson made two free throws for the 68-65 final.
McCallum added three steals and two blocked shots to his team-highs of 19 points and seven rebounds. Eli Cain totaled 14 points, five rebounds and four assists and Brandon Cyrus added seven points and six boards.
Hart led Villanova with 25 points and Brunson added 13 with six assists.
DePaul hosts St. John's in the conference home opener on Sunday afternoon. The Blue Demons and Red Storm open 2017 in Rosemont at 1 p.m. on FS1 and WSCR 670 AM.
Postgame Notes
- DePaul is 2-10 all-time in BIG EAST openers.
- The Blue Demons faced the No. 1-ranked team for the 23rd time in program history... DePaul is 3-20 all-time against the top-ranked team... the last win over a No. 1-ranked team was a 63-61 victory against La Salle on Dec. 27, 1952 at the MSG Holiday Festival.
- DePaul has overcome a second-half double-digit deficit four times this season... previously the Blue Demons erased a 10-point lead in the second half by Missouri State, Drake and Southeast Missouri State.
- Billy Garrett Jr. recorded his 75th career game in double-figures... Garrett (1,361 points) finished the game tied with Will Walker (1,361 points, 2006-10) for 19th on DePaul's all-time scoring list.
- Villanova leads the series, 23-8.
