Wednesday, February 5
Chicago, Ill.
8 p.m.
DePaul University
11-13,2-11Big East
49
vs
59
Villanova
13-10,6-6Big East
1
2
F
Villanova
29
30
59
DePaul
26
23
49
DePaul Defense Not Enough Against Villanova
2/6/2025 12:25:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO – Despite a strong defensive effort, the DePaul men's basketball team couldn't overtake Villanova Wednesday evening inside Wintrust Arena as the Wildcats had a 59-49 victory.
David Thomas scored a team-high 16 points off the bench, handily surpassing his season-high. Thomas notched four made three-pointers for his 15th career game with 10 or more points while having an onslot of season-highs including field goals made, blocks and steals. CJ Gunn made his presence known defensively with a career-high five steals, in addition to his ninth-straight game with 10 or more points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
DePaul's (11-13, 2-11 BIG EAST) defense came out strong, forcing five turnovers from Villanova (13-10, 6-6 BIG EAST) in the opening five minutes of the game. Thomas made the Blue Demons first three pointer for DePaul's first lead of the game, 11-9. The Wildcats wasted no response with a three to take back the lead. With the game tied at 22 a piece, Villanova hit three-straight field goals for the three-point advantage they would take into halftime.
After opening the second half with a pair of three-pointers, DePaul was held scoreless for a stretch as Villanova opened to a six-point, 38-32, lead. Chris Riddle responded with a three-pointer, but DePaul wouldn't get any closer before Villanova stretched its lead to eight points. The Blue Demons didn't show any quit, inching closer with another three from Thomas and a three-minute field goal drought for Villanova. The Wildcats would however use a pair of three-pointers from Tyler Perkins and Eric Dixon to secure the 10-point victory.
OF NOTE
DePaul will have a week to prepare for its next contest, against top-10 opponent Marquette. The Blue Demons will tip off from Fiserv Forum on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. on Peacock.
David Thomas scored a team-high 16 points off the bench, handily surpassing his season-high. Thomas notched four made three-pointers for his 15th career game with 10 or more points while having an onslot of season-highs including field goals made, blocks and steals. CJ Gunn made his presence known defensively with a career-high five steals, in addition to his ninth-straight game with 10 or more points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
DePaul's (11-13, 2-11 BIG EAST) defense came out strong, forcing five turnovers from Villanova (13-10, 6-6 BIG EAST) in the opening five minutes of the game. Thomas made the Blue Demons first three pointer for DePaul's first lead of the game, 11-9. The Wildcats wasted no response with a three to take back the lead. With the game tied at 22 a piece, Villanova hit three-straight field goals for the three-point advantage they would take into halftime.
After opening the second half with a pair of three-pointers, DePaul was held scoreless for a stretch as Villanova opened to a six-point, 38-32, lead. Chris Riddle responded with a three-pointer, but DePaul wouldn't get any closer before Villanova stretched its lead to eight points. The Blue Demons didn't show any quit, inching closer with another three from Thomas and a three-minute field goal drought for Villanova. The Wildcats would however use a pair of three-pointers from Tyler Perkins and Eric Dixon to secure the 10-point victory.
OF NOTE
- DePaul held back-to-back BIG EAST opponents under 60 points for the first time since the 2006-07 season.
- Villanova is the only team this season to defeat DePaul when scoring 59 or less points. The Blue Demons were previously 4-0 when holding opponents to that mark.
- Gunn's five steals mark the most by a DePaul player this season.
- Shorthanded due to injuries, DePaul used its ninth different starting lineup of the season and played eight of its nine available players.
DePaul will have a week to prepare for its next contest, against top-10 opponent Marquette. The Blue Demons will tip off from Fiserv Forum on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. on Peacock.
Team Stats
VU
DePaul
FG%
.458
.308
3FG%
.467
.194
FT%
1.000
.400
RB
38
33
TO
15
8
STL
5
9
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
6
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
5
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
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