DePaul University Athletics
Wednesday, March 8
New York, N.Y.
4:30 p.m.
DePaul University
10-22,3-17Big East
66
vs
65
Seton Hall
17-15,10-10Big East
1
2
F
DePaul
32
34
66
Seton Hall
28
37
65
Blue Demons Win Thriller in First Round of BIG EAST Tournament
3/8/2023 9:18:00 PM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
DePaul edges Seton Hall, 66-65, in the first round
NEW YORK – In a last second nail bitter, Nick Ongenda blocked Seton Hall's final shot sending DePaul to the second round of the BIG EAST Tournament with a 66-65 win Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
DePaul (10-22) was down by as much as nine in the second half, before the Blue Demons surged back for the victory. DePaul advances to take on second-seeded Xavier Thursday night at 6 p.m. C.T.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After holding a four-point halftime lead, DePaul's offense went cold to open the second half. Seton Hall (17-15) took advantage on an 8-0 run before extending their lead to nine points, 46-37, with over 10 minutes left to play. Johnson took over from there, firing off an 8-2 run by himself that included back-to-back three-pointers to get DePaul within three, 48-45.
Down four with 17 seconds left to play, Jalen Terry drove inside for a layup before Umoja Gibson drew a foul on a three-pointer. Gibson, the team's best free throw shooter, drained all three of his shots to give DePaul its first lead since 15:03 in the second half. Ongenda blocked a last second shot attempt by the Pirates to secure the win.
OF NOTE
DePaul will take on No. 2 seed, Xavier, Thursday, March 9 in the quarterfinal round. The game is slated for a 6 p.m. C.T. on FS1.
DePaul (10-22) was down by as much as nine in the second half, before the Blue Demons surged back for the victory. DePaul advances to take on second-seeded Xavier Thursday night at 6 p.m. C.T.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After holding a four-point halftime lead, DePaul's offense went cold to open the second half. Seton Hall (17-15) took advantage on an 8-0 run before extending their lead to nine points, 46-37, with over 10 minutes left to play. Johnson took over from there, firing off an 8-2 run by himself that included back-to-back three-pointers to get DePaul within three, 48-45.
Down four with 17 seconds left to play, Jalen Terry drove inside for a layup before Umoja Gibson drew a foul on a three-pointer. Gibson, the team's best free throw shooter, drained all three of his shots to give DePaul its first lead since 15:03 in the second half. Ongenda blocked a last second shot attempt by the Pirates to secure the win.
OF NOTE
- DePaul set numerous school BIG EAST Tournament records including the most blocks in a tournament game (six) and team three-point percentage (.500).
- Wednesday marked Tony Stubblefield's 25th win at DePaul and first conference tournament win as a head coach.
- The one-point victory is the closest margin for DePaul ever in a conference tournament.
- Terry scored a postseason career-high 14 points, tying his season best.
- Johnson made five three-pointers, tying for the second most all-time from a DePaul player in the BIG EAST Tournament and most since 2012.
- Ongenda moves into sole possession of fourth place all-time at DePaul with 132 career blocks.
- He has recorded four-consecutive double-digit games and scored 10+ points in five of his seven games played this season.
DePaul will take on No. 2 seed, Xavier, Thursday, March 9 in the quarterfinal round. The game is slated for a 6 p.m. C.T. on FS1.
Team Stats
DePaul
SHU
FG%
.451
.500
3FG%
.500
.267
FT%
.714
.611
RB
26
34
TO
14
14
STL
6
8
Game Leaders
Pts
19
FGM
7
3FGM
5
FTM
0
Pts
15
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
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Monday, December 01
DePaul vs. LSU Men's Basketball Highlights
Monday, December 01
Men's Basketball vs. Georgia Tech Game Highlights
Friday, November 28
Episode 30: Chris Holtmann
Tuesday, November 25