Wednesday, December 29
Indianapolis, Ind.
4:00 P.M. CT
DePaul University
9-2,0-1Big East
59
at
63
Butler
8-4,1-0Big East
1
2
F
DePaul
26
33
59
Butler
37
26
63
Butler Holds Off DePaul in BIG EAST Opener
12/29/2021 7:18:00 PM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
Blue Demons closed to within a point in final minute in 63-59 loss at Hinkle Fieldhouse
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Despite trailing for most of the game, DePaul made a late charge in the final minutes but came up short at Butler on Wednesday. The Blue Demons closed a 10-point deficit to a singal point in the final six minutes before Butler held on to a 63-59 decision.
The Bulldogs jumped out early by knocking down eight of their first 10 attempts from the field. A jumper by Simas Lukosius gave Butler a 19-10 lead just under eight minutes into the game.
Butler (8-4, 1-0 BIG EAST) stretched its lead to 10 points before DePaul clamped down on defense and chipped away offensively. The Blue Demons outscored the Bulldogs, 12-6, over a six-minute stretch as two free throws by Nick Ongenda pulled DePaul to within four at 30-26.
Ongenda's second free throw would be the final point of the first half for the Blue Demons as DePaul went scoreless over the final four minutes and Butler took a 37-26 lead at intermission.
Philmon Gebrewhit opened the second half with a three-pointer as a 10-2 for DePaul pulled the Blue Demons to within three less than four minutes into the second frame. A second three by Gebrewhit capped the run for forced a Butler time out.
In what would become a half of mini-runs, the Bulldogs stretch the advantage back to 12 only to see DePaul close to within six as Javon Freeman-Liberty knocked down two free throws with 7:27 on the clock.
DePaul held Butler scoreless for nearly the final six minutes before the Bulldogs clinched the win with three free throws in the final four seconds. Trailing 60-50, Brandon Johnson hit two free throws and followed with a three-pointer before a three by Freeman-Liberty turned the deficit to just two points with 48 seconds left in the game.
The Blue Demons pulled to within a point with four seconds on the clock, but could get no closer.
Johnson led DePaul (9-2, 0-1 BIG EAST) with 16 points and 12 rebounds while Freeman-Liberty totaled 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Ongenda added 10 points with three boards.
Lukosius led Butler with 15 points.
DePaul returns to Wintrust Arena on Saturday to face No. 21/21 Providence. The Blue Demons and Friars are scheduled for a 2 p.m. start on FOX and WSCR (670 AM).
The Bulldogs jumped out early by knocking down eight of their first 10 attempts from the field. A jumper by Simas Lukosius gave Butler a 19-10 lead just under eight minutes into the game.
Butler (8-4, 1-0 BIG EAST) stretched its lead to 10 points before DePaul clamped down on defense and chipped away offensively. The Blue Demons outscored the Bulldogs, 12-6, over a six-minute stretch as two free throws by Nick Ongenda pulled DePaul to within four at 30-26.
Ongenda's second free throw would be the final point of the first half for the Blue Demons as DePaul went scoreless over the final four minutes and Butler took a 37-26 lead at intermission.
Philmon Gebrewhit opened the second half with a three-pointer as a 10-2 for DePaul pulled the Blue Demons to within three less than four minutes into the second frame. A second three by Gebrewhit capped the run for forced a Butler time out.
In what would become a half of mini-runs, the Bulldogs stretch the advantage back to 12 only to see DePaul close to within six as Javon Freeman-Liberty knocked down two free throws with 7:27 on the clock.
DePaul held Butler scoreless for nearly the final six minutes before the Bulldogs clinched the win with three free throws in the final four seconds. Trailing 60-50, Brandon Johnson hit two free throws and followed with a three-pointer before a three by Freeman-Liberty turned the deficit to just two points with 48 seconds left in the game.
The Blue Demons pulled to within a point with four seconds on the clock, but could get no closer.
Johnson led DePaul (9-2, 0-1 BIG EAST) with 16 points and 12 rebounds while Freeman-Liberty totaled 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Ongenda added 10 points with three boards.
Lukosius led Butler with 15 points.
DePaul returns to Wintrust Arena on Saturday to face No. 21/21 Providence. The Blue Demons and Friars are scheduled for a 2 p.m. start on FOX and WSCR (670 AM).
Team Stats
DePaul
Butler
FG%
.388
.453
3FG%
.304
.350
FT%
.667
.571
RB
33
29
TO
21
14
STL
3
11
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
16
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
6
Pts
13
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
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