Friday, November 26
Chicago, Ill.
4:00 P.M. CT
DePaul University
5-0,0-0Big East
77
vs
68
Northern Kentucky
2-3,0-0Horizon
1
2
F
Northern Ky.
30
38
68
DePaul
39
38
77
DePaul Wins Fifth Straight to Open Season
11/26/2021 6:51:00 PM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
Javon Freeman-Liberty posts a double-double and Nick Ongenda reaches a career high in scoring
CHICAGO – Javon Freeman-Liberty recorded another double-double and Nick Ongenda scored a career-high 17 points to lead DePaul past visiting Northern Kentucky, 77-68, on Friday at Wintrust Arena. The win was the fifth straight for the Blue Demons to open the season.
The first half went back-and-forth until a run to end the opening frame saw the Blue Demons take a nine-point lead into halftime. A three-pointer for the Norse pulled to the visitors to within two points with just over four minutes left before DePaul closed the half on an 11-4 run.
Philmon Gebrewhit started the run with a three-pointer before Freeman-Liberty converted a fast break layup. Northern Kentucky (2-3) answered with a pair of three throws and David Jones responded with a free throw of his own followed by a three-pointer on DePaul's next possession. Ongenda then knocked down a jumper and the Blue Demons held a 39-28 lead with 90 seconds until intermission.
Following a Norse three-pointer to open the second half, Ongenda and Jones combined for seven straight points that pushed the Blue Demon advantage to 46-33. DePaul (5-0) held a double-figure advantage over the rest of the evening until the game settled with the 77-68 final score.
Two free throws by Brandon Johnson increased the lead to 18 points at the eight-minute mark before back-to-back buckets by Freeman-Liberty gave the Blue Demons their largest lead of the game at 73-54 with 5:37 on the clock.
Freeman-Liberty finished with 20 points, 12 rebounds and three assists while Ongenda totaled 17 points, five rebounds and four blocked shots. Jones scored 15 points with seven boards and Johnson just missed a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds.
Marques Warrick led Northern Kentucky with 23 points while Trevon Faulkner added 14 with six rebounds.
The Blue Demons conclude the Blue Demon Classic on Sunday afternoon when Eastern Michigan visits Wintrust Arena. Start time is 1 p.m. on FS1 and WSCR (670 AM).
The first half went back-and-forth until a run to end the opening frame saw the Blue Demons take a nine-point lead into halftime. A three-pointer for the Norse pulled to the visitors to within two points with just over four minutes left before DePaul closed the half on an 11-4 run.
Philmon Gebrewhit started the run with a three-pointer before Freeman-Liberty converted a fast break layup. Northern Kentucky (2-3) answered with a pair of three throws and David Jones responded with a free throw of his own followed by a three-pointer on DePaul's next possession. Ongenda then knocked down a jumper and the Blue Demons held a 39-28 lead with 90 seconds until intermission.
Following a Norse three-pointer to open the second half, Ongenda and Jones combined for seven straight points that pushed the Blue Demon advantage to 46-33. DePaul (5-0) held a double-figure advantage over the rest of the evening until the game settled with the 77-68 final score.
Two free throws by Brandon Johnson increased the lead to 18 points at the eight-minute mark before back-to-back buckets by Freeman-Liberty gave the Blue Demons their largest lead of the game at 73-54 with 5:37 on the clock.
Freeman-Liberty finished with 20 points, 12 rebounds and three assists while Ongenda totaled 17 points, five rebounds and four blocked shots. Jones scored 15 points with seven boards and Johnson just missed a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds.
Marques Warrick led Northern Kentucky with 23 points while Trevon Faulkner added 14 with six rebounds.
The Blue Demons conclude the Blue Demon Classic on Sunday afternoon when Eastern Michigan visits Wintrust Arena. Start time is 1 p.m. on FS1 and WSCR (670 AM).
Team Stats
NKU
DePaul
FG%
.333
.525
3FG%
.385
.353
FT%
.857
.692
RB
41
37
TO
10
11
STL
7
5
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
20
FGM
8
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
17
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
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