DePaul University
Butler
DePaul Falls to Butler on Saturday
1/20/2018 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO - Max Strus scored 27 points for the Blue Demons, but DePaul could not overcome a halftime deficit in a 79-67 defeat against visiting Butler on Saturday afternoon. Eli Cain added 14 points for the Blue Demons.
DePaul put up 48 points in the second half after trailing, 41-19, at halftime. The Blue Demons combined to shoot just .276 (8-29) from the field in the first half before knocking down 13-of-31 (.419) attempts in the second half.
Two layups by Cain layups and a Tre'Darius McCallum three-pointer in the first four minutes of play gave the Blue Demons an early 7-4 lead. Butler answered with a 14-0 run from Butler put the Bulldogs in front 18-7 with 10:15 to go in the first half.
Out of the halftime break, the Blue Demons reeled off a 10-3 run forcing a Butler time out. Midway through the second half a Strus three cut the Butler lead to 12 with just over 12 minutes on the clock. The Blue Demons threatened multiple times in the second half, but Butler answered each run and was able to maintain a double-digit advantage throughout the final 20 minutes.
Strus led DePaul (8-11, 1-6 BIG EAST) with his ninth game of the season of at least 20 points. Cain added a team-high seven assists to his 14 points while McCallum added nine points and eight rebounds. Paul Reed came off the bench and added nine points and six boards.
Kelan Martin led Butler (14-7, 4-4 BIG EAST) 24 points while Kamar Baldwin added 18 points and nine rebounds.
DePaul returns to action Wednesday when the Blue Demons travel to Washington D.C. for a 7:30 tip with the Georgetown Hoyas. The game can be seen on FS1 and heard in Chicago on WIND 560 AM.
Postgame Notes
- Eli Cain moved from a tie for 48th to 47th on DePaul's all-time scoring list... he has totaled 1,029 in his career... his 14 points marked the 12th game of the season for him in double-figures.
- DePaul is 4-1 this season when Tre'Darius McCallum makes the first bucket of the game for the Blue Demons.
- Paul Reed has totaled 14 rebounds over the last two games... he grabbed eight at Marquette on Monday night.
- Max Strus recorded his ninth game of the season with at least 20 points... his five three-pointers moved him up to 15th place on DePaul's single-season three-point field goal list.
- Butler leads the series, 9-6... the two teams conclude the season series on Feb. 3 at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
