DePaul looking to halt downturn vs. Loyola Maryland

Field Level Media|published: Fri 27th December, 13:42 2024

Dec 21, 2024; Evanston, Illinois, USA; DePaul Blue Demons head coach Chris Holtmann gestures in a game against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Hosting a middling mid-major might help DePaul get back on track following a pair of lopsided defeats.

The Blue Demons look to avoid a third straight loss Saturday in Chicago against Loyola Maryland, which hasn't beaten a major conference opponent in 15 years.

DePaul (8-4) opened 7-0 under first-year coach Chris Holtmann but is 1-4 since its schedule became tougher. After shooting 51.6 percent during a 91-72 home win over Wichita State on Dec. 14, the Blue Demons shot a combined 38.1 percent and committed 38 turnovers while losing at St. John's and Northwestern by a combined 48 points.

The Red Storm and Wildcats also made a combined 54.2 percent of their shots in those contests.

"We obviously got to do some things better," Holtmann said. "It starts with turnovers right now. (And), we've got to play with more defensive force."

Isaiah Rivera (11.4 points per game), one of DePaul's leading scorers, went 5 of 8 from 3-point range for 17 points versus Wichita State. However, he's 1 of 5 from distance with just five total points in the two games since.

DePaul ranks among the national leaders shooting 40.1 percent from behind the arc, but Loyola (5-5) has limited opponents to just 28.3 percent shooting from deep. The Greyhounds shoot just 29.1 percent from distance.

Loyola shot 46.3 percent overall and held Hampton to 3-of-15 shooting from 3 in its most recent contest on Dec. 21, but committed 14 turnovers and went to the free-throw line 14 fewer times than the Pirates in a 76-68 loss.

"We want to continue getting better," first-year Loyola coach Josh Loeffler told The Greyhound school paper. "Put them in a position to be successful."

Though the Greyhounds have split their six true road games this season, they lost by 21 at Boston College on Nov. 19. Since February 1982, Loyola is 1-66 against major conference foes. That lone victory came at Indiana, 72-67, on Dec. 22, 2009.

Loyola big man Milos Ilic averages team highs of 14.8 points on 55.1-percent shooting and 9.2 rebounds. He has posted four double-doubles this season.

--Field Level Media