DePaul University
UIC
Blue Demons Drop UIC
12/9/2017 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO - Max Strus and Eli Cain combined for 38 points, 15 rebounds, 11 assists and seven steals to lead DePaul over UIC, 65-55, at the UIC Pavilion on Saturday. DePaul led by as many as 14 points in the second half and won for the fourth straight time.
DePaul (5-4) led by as many as seven points in the first half and went into the intermission holding a 29-26 lead.
Coming out of the break, Tre'Darius McCallum knocked down DePaul's first three-pointer of the afternoon to kick start a 12-2 run forcing a UIC time out with 15:52 left to play. The lead remained in double-figures and twice reached 14 points until a Dikembe Dixson jumper pulled the Flames with within eight with 9:33 on the clock.
Cain scored on DePaul's next possession before Strus knocked down a three and made three free throws to put the Blue Demons up 57-43 with 6:44 left.
UIC (3-6) wouldn't go away and cut the deficit to six points before another Strus three-pointer and a lay-up by Peter Ryckbosch put the game away with just under two minutes left on the clock.
Strus finished the game with 24 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals while Cain - primarily playing point guard with starter Devin Gage sidelined - totaled 14 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and four steals. McCallum also finished with 11 points and three rebounds for DePaul (5-4).
UIC was led by 13 points from Dominique Matthews.
DePaul faces a quick turnaround and hosts Alabama A&M on Monday night at Wintrust Arena. Start time is 8 p.m. on FS1 and WSCR 670 AM.
Postgame Notes
- DePaul's four-game winning streak is the longest since a four-game run from Nov. 23-Dec. 9, 2015.
- Tre'Darius McCallum's three-point to start the second half extended DePaul streak to 748 straight games with a three-pointer.
- Eli Cain's eight assists are a new career high and his eight rebounds matched his career best (fourth time)... he also matched his career high with four steals (second time).
- Marin Maric grabbed three rebounds to give him 701 in his career.
- DePaul is 6-2 all-time against UIC... five of the last six meetings have been decided by 10 points or less... the Blue Demons are 2-0 this season against teams from the Horizon League and 59-12 all-time.
