DePaul University
Xavier
Xavier Holds Off DePaul
2/8/2017 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
CINCINNATI - Brandon Cyrus scored a career-high 18 points and grabbed six rebounds as Xavier held off DePaul and defeated the Blue Demons on Wednesday night. DePaul pulled to within four points midway through the second half, but could get no closer in the 72-61 loss.
Xavier, ranked No. 24 in this week's AP poll and No. 25 in the coaches poll, knocked down seven three-pointers in the first half to take a 41-34 lead at the break. DePaul (8-16, 1-10 BIG EAST) trailed by as many as eight in the opening frame before coming back and Cyrus tipping in a miss to knot the score at 29-29 with 2:51 left before intermission.
Following a brief Xavier run, Billy Garrett Jr.'s three-pointer brought DePaul to within a point before the Musketeers closed the half with six straight points.
Xavier (18-6, 8-3 BIG EAST) increased its advantage to 10 less than three minutes into the second half, but DePaul battled back with a free throw by Eli Cain making the score 46-42 with just under 14 minutes on the clock.
The Musketeers answered and scored six straight points over the next two-plus minutes to build a double-digit lead and DePaul could get no closer than eight over the remainder of the evening.
Cain finished with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists for DePaul while Garrett chipped in a dozen points with four assists and two steals.
Trevon Bluiett led Xavier with 20 points and RaShid Gaston added 14 for the Musketeers.
DePaul returns to Allstate Arena for two games in three days starting Saturday against No. 23/23 Creighton. Start time for the Blue Demons and Bluejays is scheduled for 1 p.m. No. 2/2 Villanova visits Rosemont on Monday night.
Postgame Notes
- Brandon Cyrus reached double-figures for the third time in the last four games... he has seven games this season in double-figures.
- Billy Garrett Jr. recorded his 85th career game in double-figures.
- The series is tied at 9-9... Xavier has won four straight against DePaul... the two teams meet again on March 4 at Allstate Arena... that game will be DePaul's final regular-season game in the facility.
