Blue Demons Bounce Bethune-Cookman

Wednesday, November 7

Wintrust Arena

6:30 P.M. CT

DePaul University

Bethune-Cookman

11/7/2018 9:42:00 PM | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery

DePaul opens season with 80-58 win at Wintrust Arena

CHICAGO – DePaul started slowly, but behind Max Strus and the sophomore duo of Jaylen Butz and Paul Reed, the Blue Demons coasted to an 80-58 win over Bethune-Cookman. DePaul opened up a double-digit lead at halftime and led by as many as 28 points in the second half.

DePaul (1-0) held a 43-31 advantage at intermission behind 16 first-half points from Strus and 12 by Butz.

The Blue Demons opened up the game early in the second half as Reed created a turnover in the Bethune-Cookman backcourt and converted a three-point play on a dunk and free throw. His highlight-reel play gave the home team a 51-36 advantage just over five minutes into the second half.

Reed continued his second-half barrage on the rim with a second three-point play off a dunk and foul that saw DePaul's lead grow to 70-46 at the 6:53 mark. Two free throws by Femi Olujobi pushed DePaul ahead 76-48 with 3:59 left for the largest lead of the game for the Blue Demons.

Strus finished with 25 points that included five three-pointers to go along with six rebounds. Butz (12 points, 7 rebounds) and Reed (11 points, 8 rebounds) combined for 23 points and 15 boards while Eli Cain totaled eight points, eight assists, three steals and three rebounds.

Isaiah Bailey led Bethune-Cookman (0-1) with 12 and three assists.

DePaul hosts Morgan State in its second game of the 2018-19 season on Monday, Nov. 12. Start time at Wintrust Arena is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on FS1 and WIND (560 AM).

Postgame Notes

DePaul is 83-13 all-time in the first game of the season... in home openers, the Blue Demons hold an 88-8 record... DePaul has won 51 of its last 54 first home games.
Jaylen Butz scored a career-high 12 points... it was his fourth career game in double-figures.
Paul Reed matched his career high (third time) with 11 points in his third career game in double-figures.
Max Strus recorded his 13th career game of at least 20 points with 25 points tonight... he has scored in double-figures in 27 of 32 career games at DePaul.
Wednesday was the first meeting between the two programs.