DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Providence
Providence Stops DePaul
2/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - A 12-2 run in the second half allowed Providence to pull away from DePaul by a score of 87-66 on Saturday at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. Eli Cain scored 22 points and Darrick Wood added 15 for the Blue Demons.
Both teams started slow with Providence holding an early advantage. Cain brought the Blue Demons back as he scored seven straight points and two free throws by Billy Garrett Jr. gave DePaul a 21-20 advantage with just under eight minutes left.
The Friars answered and extended their lead to nine points with a minute left until halftime before Darrick Wood knocked down a three from the wing to end the half with a score of 39-33.
DePaul (9-19, 3-13 BIG EAST) outscored Providence, 10-7, to start the second half as a jumper by Cain made the score 46-43. Following a Junior Lomomba basket for the Friars, Wood scored and the Blue Demons trailed by three with 15:29 left in the game.
Providence answered with a 12-2 run over the next three minutes and to take a 60-47 advantage on a three-point play by Ben Bentil. Bentil finished the game with 28 points and eight rebounds to lead the Friars.
The lead would stay in double-figures the rest of the game for Providence (20-9, 8-8 BIG EAST) and grow as high as 22 points in the final minutes.
Garrett scored 10 points to join Cain and Wood in double-figures. Kyron Cartwright followed Bentil with 16 points for Providence.
DePaul continues its road trip Tuesday night with a game at Villanova. Start time at The Pavilion is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on FS1 and WSCR 670 The Score.
POSTGAME NOTES: Eli Cain recorded his fourth career game of 20 points or more... Billy Garrett Jr. (1,130 points) passed Jim Murphy (1,121 points, 1962-65) for 36th place on DePaul's all-time scoring list... the Blue Demons are now 2-5 this season against ranked opponents... Providence entered the game at No. 24 in this week's USA TODAY Coaches poll... Providence leads the series, 27-9... the two teams split the regular-season series.
