Blue Demons Drop BIG EAST Opener

Wednesday, March 9

New York, N.Y.

6:00 P.M. CT

DePaul University

15-16,6-14Big East

St. John's

17-14,8-11Big East

DePaul

St. John's (NY)

3/9/2022 10:00:00 PM | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Box Score Box Score Postgame Notes

Four players score in double figures in first round loss against St. John's

NEW YORK – Javon Freeman-Liberty scored 17 points to lead four players in double figures, but DePaul dropped its BIG EAST Tournament opener, 92-73, to St. John's. Nick Ongenda added 13 points while David Jones and Brandon Johnson each scored 11 points.

The Blue Demons started quickly with a 12-2 lead just over three minutes into the game as Freeman-Liberty led the way early with six points during the opening run.

St. John's reeled off nine straight points that started a 24-5 run over an eight-plus minute run. The final basket of the run with 8:05 left in the first half gave the Red Storm a 26-17 lead.

DePaul (15-16) pulled to within two after a pair of Ongenda buckets, a Freeman-Liberty free throw and a basket in the paint for Brandon Johnson. Julian Champagnie anwered with 12 straight points for St. John's that only saw two free throws by Yor Anei.

St. John's (17-14) scored the final 11 points of the first half to take command of the game. Philmon Gebrewhit's three-pointer with 3:21 until intermission was the final basket for the Blue Demons and the Red Storm took a 49-29 lead at the break.

The second half played even, but the Blue Demons couldn't put together an extensive run to close the deficit.

Freeman-Liberty added six rebounds and five assists while Jones and Ongenda grabbed a team-high eight rebounds each.

Julian Champagnie led St. John's with a game-high 26 points.