Blue Demons upset No. 16 Wildcats in Big East opener
The Blue Demons have endured their struggles and growing pains so far this season. A five-game losing streak and close games that DePaul has come up short on have been tough growing pains. But on Thursday night, their pains and their struggles turned into satisfying sweetness in front of the home crowd.
In the first match-up for both squads in the Big East, DePaul upset No. 16 Villanova 84-76, notching their third straight win after having lost five consecutive games. The win inches DePaul closer to the .500 mark (5-7, 1-0), while the loss is only the second of the year for Villanova (10-2, 0-1). The loss also end the Wildcats’ six-game winning streak.
DePaul had six players in double figures, led by Draelon Burns with 20 points. Karron Clarke added 14 points and Cliff Clinkscales, Will Walker, and Wes Green each had 12 points.
The Wildcats found themselves behind the eight-ball early, falling behind by 10, with DePaul gaining more and more confidence as the first half wore on. The Blue Demons took a 40-28 lead into halftime. An 11-2 run in first five minutes of the second half dug a deeper hole for the Wildcats, 53-38. DePaul had their lead at 60-44 with under nine minutes to play, but Villanova didn’t go quietly into the night.
Dante Cunningham was huge tonight for the Wildcats, pouring in 16 points, including scoring five straight points to shave the lead to 68-64. Villanova, however, would get no closer. When DePaul needed their best player to come up with a basket, Burns responded all night. With the lead at four and the Wildcats mounting a charge, Burns sunk two free throws, then came up with a steal and a fast-break lay-up to build the lead back up to eight, 72-64. Free throws and missed shots by Villanova helped DePaul earn their first win in the Big East.
The youth and inexperience for the Wildcats played a pivotal part in their demise tonight. Despite 23 points from freshamn guard Corey Fisher, the Wildcats hoisted too many three’s that resulted in too many misses (6-of-26 for 23 percent). Super sophomore and leading scorer Scottie Reynolds had a tough night, finishing with 11 points on 4-of-13 shooting.
DePaul proved that in conference play, there’s no such thing as a pushover. A home game to kick off conference play, DePaul needed this one badly and it showed. The Blue Demons played their hearts out and can use this win as a building block for things to come in the Big East.
DePaul will aim for their fourth straight win and second in a row in conference play when they host Providence on Saturday at 8 p.m. Villanova will have a few days to regroup, but they’ll have to regroup quickly. They’ll face their toughest test of the year to date when they host No.13 Pittsburgh on Sunday at noon.
Tags: Big East Basketball, DePaul Blue Demons, NCAA Men's basketball, Villanova Wildcats