Men’s basketball: DePaul holds No. 21 Xavier for second win in the Big East this season

Many of DePaul’s defeats in the Big East this season have come in the same way: The Blue Devils played well in the first half, entered the break taking the lead but couldn’t hold on to secure a second-half win.

A similar story began to happen on Saturday when DePaul visited No. 21 Xavier, but Blue Demons managed to hold off the Musketeers in the last minute to win 69-65

DePaul improved to 11-10 overall and 2-9 in the Big East, with both conference wins beating ranked opponents.

Head coach Tony Stubblefield has just seven scholarship players available against Xavier, with top scorer Javon Freeman-Liberty missing his fifth straight game with a groin injury andd Javan Johnson was forced to miss out with a hand injury.

Even with both players missing and DePaul entering the day with a four-game losing streak, the Blue Demons put together a bold performance led by a senior guard. Courvoisier McCauley, who finished with a career-high 21 points with 8 of 12 shots.

McCauley came off the bench to provide a much-needed spark for DePaul. He hit a few hard shots in the first half and knocked down a few clutch shots late in the second.

However, it wasn’t always perfect for the Blue Demons. Following a dunk from second-class guard Jalen Terry to put DePaul 32-19 ahead with two minutes remaining in the first half, Xavier continued a 22-4 run that lasted eight minutes between the halves.

It was starting to look like DePaul would give another game in the second half. The Blue Demons made four turnovers and scored two points in four minutes of the second half, which put Xavier 41-36 ahead.

Sophomore forward David Jones, however, stepped in a big way for the Blue Devils. He helped kick off a 13-0 run with back-to-back strokes that put himself and DePaul forward.

That 13-0 run put DePaul eight ahead, a lead the Blue Demons will never abandon. Jones, who scored a total of 14 points in his last three games, finished 12 points on Saturday.

For a moment in the second half it looked like Brandon Johnson had injured his left ankle, but he was able to get back into the game. He also finished with 12 points, one of only four DePaul players to finish in doubles.

Every time Xavier made a few shots to get the ball into the basket, DePaul had a response. Senior guard Paul Scruggs, who had 21 points from 7 of 13 shooting, hit a three-pointer to make it two points — 59-57 — with six minutes remaining.

The Blue Demons didn’t let that affect them. In contrast, DePaul scored six straight points to move up eight.

Less than a minute later, Scruggs scored six straight points of his own which—again—made it a two-point game, 65-63.

But DePaul didn’t let Scruggs and the crowd affect his game. Nick Ongenda and Brandon Johnson made four free throws that sealed the Blue Demons victory.

DePaul returns to court on Wednesday when Georgetown visits Wintrust Arena.