Friday, November 11
Chicago, Ill.
9:00 P.M. CT
DePaul University
2-0,0-0Big East
86
vs
74
Western Illinois
2-1,0-0Summit League
1
2
F
Western Ill.
35
39
74
DePaul
42
44
86
DePaul Conquers Western Illinois
11/12/2022 1:01:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
Gibson goes off for 24 and eight
CHICAGO – DePaul men's basketball conquered Western Illinois, 86-74, Friday night at Wintrust Arena. DePaul (2-0) was led by senior guard Umoja Gibson who was steady all night long with 24 points, eight assists and two rebounds. Gibson shot 8-of-10, which included four three-pointers.
"I feel like we played a better game today over the course of 40 minutes than we did on Monday," said head coach Tony Stubblefield. "I think our guys played with good intensity. We held them to 37 percent from two and 20 percent from three so from a defensive standpoint I really like that."
Da'Sean Nelson notched 15 points, followed by Javan Johnson with 14. Eral Penn reached 10 points, rounding out the quartet of Blue Demons in double-figures.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Umoja Gibson started the game 3-for-3, helping DePaul jump out to a 21-10 lead early in the first half. Once taking the 10-point advantage, the Blue Demons would not give up the lead the remainder of the game. Western Illinois got within four late in the first half, thanks to 10-straight points. Eral Penn got the DePaul offense back on track thanks to a second-chance layup.
With a seven-point halftime lead, the lethal Blue Demon defense showed up to open the second half. Yor Anei captured four blocks in the first four minutes of the period, while the team held Western Illinois 0-of-6 to open the half.
OF NOTE
UP NEXT
The Blue Demons play their first away game of the season in the annual Gavitt Tipoff Games against Minnesota. The contest is set to begin at 6 p.m. and will be televised on BTN.
Season tickets and single-game tickets for remaining Blue Demon home games can be purchased at DePaulBlueDemons.com/Tickets.
"I feel like we played a better game today over the course of 40 minutes than we did on Monday," said head coach Tony Stubblefield. "I think our guys played with good intensity. We held them to 37 percent from two and 20 percent from three so from a defensive standpoint I really like that."
Da'Sean Nelson notched 15 points, followed by Javan Johnson with 14. Eral Penn reached 10 points, rounding out the quartet of Blue Demons in double-figures.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Umoja Gibson started the game 3-for-3, helping DePaul jump out to a 21-10 lead early in the first half. Once taking the 10-point advantage, the Blue Demons would not give up the lead the remainder of the game. Western Illinois got within four late in the first half, thanks to 10-straight points. Eral Penn got the DePaul offense back on track thanks to a second-chance layup.
With a seven-point halftime lead, the lethal Blue Demon defense showed up to open the second half. Yor Anei captured four blocks in the first four minutes of the period, while the team held Western Illinois 0-of-6 to open the half.
OF NOTE
- The win marks the fourth time in the last five seasons DePaul has opened its season 2-0.
- DePaul started Gibson, Jalen Terry, Johnson, Penn and Anei for the second-straight game.
- In the first two games of the season, DePaul has trailed for a combined 1:19.
- Gibson recorded a career-high in assists for the second-straight game, finishing Friday evening with eight.
- The 24 points scoring effort by Gibson was his 20th career game of 20 or more points.
- Zion Cruz recorded his first collegiate points with a three-pointer in the second half, ending the night 2-for-2.
- Friday marked Penn's 50th career game in double-digits.
UP NEXT
The Blue Demons play their first away game of the season in the annual Gavitt Tipoff Games against Minnesota. The contest is set to begin at 6 p.m. and will be televised on BTN.
Season tickets and single-game tickets for remaining Blue Demon home games can be purchased at DePaulBlueDemons.com/Tickets.
Team Stats
WIU
DePaul
FG%
.377
.589
3FG%
.231
.474
FT%
.846
.846
RB
27
33
TO
9
14
STL
6
6
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
24
FGM
8
3FGM
4
FTM
4
Pts
15
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
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