DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Butler
Blue Demons Drop Road Game at Butler
2/19/2017 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Eli Cain led DePaul with 24 points, but a scoring drought that covered the end of the first half and start of the second half saw the Blue Demons drop an 82-66 decision at No. 24/25 Butler on Sunday afternoon. Joe Hanel added 10 points for the Blue Demons.
The Blue Demons and Bulldogs went toe-to-toe early as each team took a first-half lead before DePaul went cold and Butler took advantage with 14 straight points to end the first half and take a 36-27 lead at intermission.
Back-to-back three-point plays by Chris Harrison-Docks and Eli Cain led a six-point surge for DePaul that turned a one-point deficit to a 25-20 advantage with 5:50 on the clock. The Blue Demons would score just two more points over the remainder of the opening frame on two free throws by Cain with 4:52 left in the first half.
DePaul's struggles from the field continued after halftime with Butler scoring the first seven points of the second half. Cain ended the scoring drought for DePaul with a short jumper off the glass just under three minutes into the second half.
Butler (21-6, 10-5 BIG EAST) took command of the game midway through the second half with a Kelan Martin three-pointer giving the Bulldogs a 62-40 lead.
Cain added six rebounds and three assists to his game-high 24 points while Hanel added five rebounds. Billy Garrett Jr. added nine points and Chris Harrison-Docks scored eight off the bench.
Nate Fowler scored 15 points off the bench to lead Butler and Martin chipped in 14 with eight rebounds.
DePaul (8-19, 1-13 BIG EAST) travels to Georgetown next for a Wednesday night game at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.
Postgame Notes
- Eli Cain recorded ninth game of the season (13th career) with 20 or more points... it marked his highest-scoring game since a career-high 32 points against Butler on Jan. 21.
- R.J. Curington played in his 75th career game.
- Billy Garrett Jr. played in his 120th career game... Garrett (134 3FG) moved into a tie for seventh on DePaul's all-time three-point field goal list... he's tied with Peter Patton (134 3FG, 1992-96).
- Joe Hanel played in his 60th career game... Hanel recorded his fourth career game in double-figures.
- Chris Harrison-Docks is played in his 95th career game (74 at Western Kentucky/21 at DePaul).
- Butler leads the series by an 8-6 margin... the Bulldogs won both meetings this season and each of the last seven meetings.
