DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Xavier
DePaul Falls to Xavier in BIG EAST First Round
3/9/2017 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
NEW YORK - A slow start coming out of halftime was too much to overcome as DePaul fell to Xavier, 75-64, in the first round of the BIG EAST Tournament. Eli Cain, Billy Garrett Jr. and Tre'Darius McCallum all scored in double-figures for the Blue Demons.
The first half played even before DePaul took a six-point lead with just under three minutes left until intermission. Xavier (20-12) closed the gap to just a point as J.P. Macura hit a long three-pointer just before the horn to make the score 31-30.
The Musketeers took command of the game by starting the second half with a 12-5 run that saw Xavier turn the one-point deficit into a six-point lead less than four minutes into the second half.
A three-pointer by Chris Harrison-Docks pulled DePaul (9-23) to within three, but that was as close as the Blue Demons would get for the remainder of the night. Xavier extended its advantage to as many as 14 points midway through the second half.
Garrett led the Blue Demons with 16 points and four assists while McCallum recorded a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double. Cain finished with 15 points and five rebounds and Brandon Cyrus totaled nine points, six rebounds and three steals.
Trevon Bluiett led Xavier with 17 points and nine rebounds while Macura and Quentin Goodin scored 13 points apiece.
Postgame Notes
- DePaul is now 2-10 in BIG EAST Tournament games... overall, the Blue Demons are 10-23 in conference tournament play.
- New BIG EAST Tournament game records include Tre'Darius McCallum's 11 rebounds, Brandon Cyrus' three steals (sixth time) and Eli Cain's seven free throws (third time).
- The double-double by McCallum was the first by a DePaul player in a BIG EAST Tournament game... McCallum finished the season with five double-doubles.
- R.J. Curington played in his 80th career game.
- Billy Garrett Jr. played in his 125th career game... he finishes his career as the only player in program history with at least 1,600 points, 425 assists and 140 three-pointers.
- Chris Harrison-Docks played in his 100th career game (74 at Western Kentucky/26 at DePaul).
- Xavier leads the series, 11-9... the Musketeers have won six straight over the Blue Demons... the game was the first meeting in conference tournament play between the programs.
