Blue Demons Unable to Overcome Slow Start

Wednesday, December 7

Queens, N.Y.

5:30 P.M. CT

DePaul University

5-4,0-1Big East

St. John's

9-1,1-0Big East

DePaul

St. John's (NY)

12/7/2022 8:10:00 PM | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Box Score Final Box Post Game Notes (at St. John's)Photo Gallery

Zion Cruz has career-night in Queens

NEW YORK – The DePaul men's basketball team fought back in the second half to pull within single-digits of St. John's Wednesday evening, but could not overcome a slow start as the Red Storm took an 86-67 win on the opening night of BIG EAST play.

Da'Sean Nelson and Zion Cruz proved to be bright spots on the night, as both posted career-performances. Nelson was a perfect 6-of-6 on the night, totaling a team-high nine rebounds and one shy of his first career double-double. Cruz recorded a career-high 14 points, which included a pair of three-pointers and 50 percent shooting from the floor.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Despite DePaul (5-4, 0-1 BIG EAST) getting several good looks to open the game, St John's (9-2, 1-0 BIG EAST) went on a 10-0 run to open the half. Cruz made a pair of threes and a second chance putback from Eral Penn had DePaul within striking distance. The Blue Demons grabbed a 7-0 run late in the period but could not pull closer as St. John's went into halftime up 40-29.

DePaul kept chipping away coming out of half, getting within single-digits and forcing St. John's first timeout of the game. The Blue Demons could not carry momentum as St. John's went on a run that included six-straight made field goals.

OF NOTE

Nelson's 6-of-6 performance from the floor marked the first DePaul player to finish perfect from the floor with more than five field goals since Jaylen Butz vs. Georgetown on Feb. 22, 2020.
Javan Johnson tied his season-best four assists.
The game marked DePaul's 14^th-straight with double-digit assists, dating back to last season. The Blue Demons have had 10 or more assists in all nine games of 2022-23.

UP NEXT
DePaul returns home as it looks to reset for a game against UTEP, Saturday, Dec. 10. The game is slated for a 5:30 p.m. CT tip inside of Wintrust Arena. The game will be aired on FS1.

Season tickets and single-game tickets can be purchased at DePaulBlueDemons.com/Tickets.