Second Half Rally Falls Short at #10 Marquette

Saturday, February 25

Milwaukee, Wis.

6:30 P.M. CT

DePaul University

9-20,3-15Big East

Marquette

23-6,15-3Big East

DePaul

Marquette

Second Half Rally Falls Short at #10 Marquette

2/25/2023 10:15:00 PM | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Box Score Final Box Post Game Notes

Nick Ongenda has career night with first double-double

MILWAUKEE – A 17-point second half comeback fell just short for the DePaul men's basketball team, Saturday evening, as #10 Marquette took the home victory, 90-84. Nick Ongenda had a career night, including his first career double-double and a personal-best 12 rebounds.

Down 21 at halftime, DePaul (9-20, 3-15 BIG EAST) outscored Marquette (23-6, 15-3 BIG EAST) 56-41 in the second half propelled by a balanced scoring attack. The Blue Demons got within six points with under two minutes to play as Marquette clinched the game with an 18-of-23 performance at the free throw line.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Marquette led 49-28 going into the halftime as DePaul was led by nine first half points from Umoja Gibson. DePaul showed flashes early in the second half, with a 6-0 run that included back-to-back baskets from Caleb Murphy.

With nine minutes left in the half, DePaul quietly fought its way back into the game on an 18-4 run over the course of five minutes. With Marquette holding a 78-72 lead, Tyler Kolek closed out the game with 11 points for the Eagles including nine free throws. Ongenda's defensive prowess helped DePaul pick up some late fast break points, pulling as close as four before Marquette closed out the game at the free throw line.

OF NOTE

DePaul had five players score in double-digits as the team had its highest point total against a BIG EAST foe this season.
Ongenda ended his night with 16 points, 12 rebounds, five blocks and three steals. His 16 points were a season-high while his 12 rebounds and three steals were both new career highs.
In his four games since returning from injury, Ongenda is averaging 10 points, 8.5 rebounds and six blocks per game.
Ongenda's five blocks moved him into sixth all-time at DePaul with 123 career blocks.
Umoja Gibson scored a team-high 20 points for his second-consecutive 20+ scoring performance.
Gibson has tallied 20 or more points nine times this season and scored in double-digits in 25 out of DePaul's 29 games.
DePaul shot 51.7 percent as a team, its highest field goal percentage against a BIG EAST opponent this season.

UP NEXT
DePaul faces its second-straight ranked opponent with a Wednesday night road matchup against UConn on Feb. 28. The game is slated for a 6 p.m. tip on CBS Sports Network.