Wednesday, December 7
Queens, N.Y.
5:30 P.M. CT
DePaul University
5-4,0-1Big East
67
at
86
St. John's
9-1,1-0Big East
1
2
F
DePaul
29
38
67
St. John's (NY)
40
46
86
Blue Demons Unable to Overcome Slow Start
12/7/2022 8:10:00 PM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
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
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.
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 14th-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.
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Team Stats
DePaul
SJU
FG%
.391
.508
3FG%
.233
.278
FT%
.545
.789
RB
35
45
TO
14
12
STL
6
10
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
13
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
F
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