In two of the last three years, DePaul has won four of their first five. So very early season success is nothing new to them. It’s the Big East conference games where the trouble starts.
But January 1 versus Syracuse can wait for now, as the Blue Demons rolled past the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils (Yes, Blue Demons versus Delta Devils, Satan no doubt loves the mascots in this one) 80-70.
Senior guard Jeremiah Kelly led the game with 24 points on 6-12 from behind the arc. DPU shot 10-24 from downtown for the game.
The Demons didn’t really go into the post at all, and instead got a lot of points on the perimeter and in transition through their press. It was a typical DePaul fun to watch, faster pace contest.
“We’ll play an up tempo style, press a lot, it’s what we like to do, we’ll play at a fast pace,” Kelly said about the team’s style.
Guard Brandon Young had 19, going 8-14 from the floor. Even though he’s a sophomore, he’ll be expected
“I was a freshman last year, I went through a lot of ups and downs, so I know what to expect, I can tell them what to expect,” Young said.
“Don’t just force a lot of things, it’s the Big East, so you got to take your time and not force a lot of things.”
The two early wins marked the first time since 07-08 that DPU has had back to back games with at least 10 three point field goals. With the win, the Demons improved to 5-1 all time in their Lincoln Park on-campus home McGrath Arena.
They’ll play there for the third and final time Saturday December 17th versus Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Their first win came versus Texas-Pan American 91-72 on Friday night.
DePaul’s next game will be in Orlando, Florida, versus the Minnesota Golden Gophers as part of the Old Spice Classic.
“I’m excited abou the tournament, I’ve known Tubby (Smith, Gophers head coach) for a long time, I know they’ll have a tough physical team and it’ll be a big test for us,” DePaul Coach Oliver Purnell said of the match-up with the Gophers.
He later plugged the telecast of the next game.
“ESPN on Thanksgiving Day, and the Lions aren’t playing well now so watch us.”
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