DePaul shows off shooting prowess, rolls past Wichita State

Field Level Media|published: Sat 14th December, 15:32 2024

NCAA Basketball: Wichita State at DePaul

Dec 14, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; DePaul Blue Demons forward NJ Benson (35) drives to the basket against Wichita State Shockers center Quincy Ballard (left) during the first half at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Jacob Meyer had 23 points, CJ Gunn scored 22 and the pair combined for eight of DePaul's season-high 17 3-pointers amid a strong second-half defensive performance to earn a 91-72 victory over visiting Wichita State on Saturday in Chicago.

Isaiah Rivera made five 3-pointers and scored 14 of his 17 in the first half for the Blue Demons (8-2), who shot 51.5 percent from distance. DePaul trailed 47-42 at the half but scored 23 of the first 38 points of the second half en route to shooting 56.3 percent after halftime.

DePaul ranks among the top shooting teams in the Division I with 128 made 3-pointers.

The Blue Demons also held Wichita State to 37.5-percent shooting in the second half, after the Shockers had a 63.0-percent success rate in the first half. Xavier Bell and Harlond Beverly each scored 14 for the Shockers (8-2).

Rivera's 3-pointer followed by a basket from Gunn erased a two-point deficit and gave the Blue Demons a 54-51 lead 1ith 15:57 remaining, and they never trailed again.

DePaul hit nine straight field-goal attempts during one stretch after a Gunn basket made it 69-62 just before the halfway point of the second half.

NJ Benson's power-move in the paint, followed by three free throws, put DePaul ahead 79-67 with 6:05 remaining. Meyer's deep 3 from the right wing extended that advantage to 82-67 with 5:26 left.

Meyer followed with two free throws to cap a 10-0 spurt, amid a 15-1 run, where Wichita State went scoreless for more than 3:40 until Beverly's 3-pointer with 3:55 to go.

DePaul also set a season high with 11 first-half 3-pointers -- on 21 attempts. After Meyer made three free throws for an early 29-21 lead via an 11-2 run, the Shockers responded.

Wichita State used a 12-0 surge to take the lead, highlighted by a Corey Washington 3-pointer, followed by a Beverly bucket. It remained tight the rest of the half before the Shockers closed on a 5-2 spurt.

Gunn made all three of his 3-point attempts before the break during his career-high scoring effort.

--Field Level Media

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