Blue Demons Move to 5-0 to Open the Season

Tuesday, November 19

Chicago, Ill.

8 p.m.

DePaul University

5-0,0-0Big East

Eastern Illinois

1-4,0-0OVC

Eastern Ill.

DePaul

Conor Enright dribbles the ball looking for a pass

Photo by: DePaul Athletics

Photo by: DePaul Athletics

CJ Gunn and Conor Enright chest bump after a big play

Photo by: DePaul Athletics

Photo by: Michael Glasgow

Photo by: Michael Glasgow

Photo by: Michael Glasgow

JJ Traynor goes up for a contested two-point shot

Photo by: Michael Glasgow

Photo by: Michael Glasgow

Conor Enright waits to see if a shot will fall

Photo by: Michael Glasgow

Photo by: Michael Glasgow

Photo by: DePaul Athletics

Photo by: DePaul Athletics

Photo by: DePaul Athletics

Photo by: DePaul Athletics

Isaiah Rivera steps back for the jump shot

Photo by: Michael Glasgow

Photo by: Michael Glasgow

Conor Enright goes to the ground for the basketball

Photo by: DePaul Athletics

Photo by: DePaul Athletics

Photo by: Michael Glasgow

Photo by: DePaul Athletics

Isaiah Rivera looks for a shot in warm up

Photo by: Michael Glasgow

11/19/2024 11:28:00 PM | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Box Score Final Box Postgame Notes Photo Gallery

DePaul notches gritty win against Eastern Illinois Tuesday night

CHICAGO – In a gritty win Tuesday night, DePaul men's basketball officially moved to 5-0 to open the season, defeating Eastern Illinois, 78-69, Tuesday night at Wintrust Arena. The Blue Demons were red hot from deep, draining 15 three-pointers throughout the game.

Jacob Meyer led all scorers with 16 points shooting 5-of-11 from deep. The sophomore made his first DePaul start Tuesday evening while also adding five rebounds. DePaul had five players in double-digit scoring for the fourth-consecutive game as Troy D'Amico added a season-high 14 points. Conor Enright continued to show his impressive court vision, dishing out a career-best 11 assists.

HOW IT HAPPENED
After opening the game with a pair of baskets, DePaul (5-0) was held scoreless for over two minutes as Eastern Illinois (1-4) tied the game at 5 apiece. Early turnover troubles plagued the Blue Demons as the Panthers chipped away at a five-point DePaul lead, taking a 13-12 advantage. JJ Traynor and Meyer quickly responded with back-to-back three-pointers for an 18-13 lead, but the Panthers would once again tie the game. DePaul kept answering back, this time with a 9-0 run that would eventually propel DePaul to a four-point halftime lead.

Meyer's hot shooting from the first half continued as he opened the second period with a three-pointer. EIU however would take a stretch of four-consecutive made field goals to cut into the deficit. The Blue Demons would once again punch back with a 14-0 run propelled by David Skogman's three-point prowess. As DePaul held a 10-point advantage, Eastern Illinois held the Blue Demons to another scoreless drought as the Panthers looked to close the deficit. EIU came within one-possession with four minutes left to play before D'Amico and Isaiah Rivera came alive from three-point range, shutting down any Panther potential comeback.

OF NOTE

DePaul had 15 three-pointers as a team in a regulation game for the first time since March 2, 2006 against Syracuse.
Chris Holtmann moves to 5-0 to open the season for the fifth time in his career, while it is the 30^th time in DePaul program history the Blue Demons have won five-straight to open the season.
Meyer has hit a three-pointer in 20-consecutive games, dating back to last season.
Enright's 11 assists were the most for a DePaul player since Charlie Moore on Jan. 11, 2020.

UP NEXT
DePaul will host another in-state opponent Saturday as they welcome Northern Illinois to the South Loop. The game will tip off against the Blue Demons at 4 p.m. on FS2 from Wintrust Arena.