Creighton University
13-15, 4-11
DePaul
12-17, 6-10
McDermott Wins 400th as Men's Hoops Picks Up Road Victory At DePaul
2/24/2015 9:35:00 PM | Men's Basketball
ROSEMONT, Ill. -- Creighton built a 22-7 lead in the first 11 minutes and survived a furious DePaul comeback to give Greg McDermott his 400th win as a head coach on Tuesday night in a 75-62 win.
Creighton improved to 13-15 (4-11 BIG EAST) with its fourth win in the past seven games, while DePaul fell to 12-17 (6-10 BIG EAST).
After falling behind 20-5 in the first meeting last month, Creighton nearly turned the tables on the Blue Demons while racing to a 19-6 lead in the first 10 minutes and 22-7 advantage after 11 minutes. A 9-3 start capped by consecutive scores inside by Will Artino forced DePaul's first timeout, while an Avery Dingman trey four minutes later made it 19-6 and prompted another Oliver Purnell timeout.
After scoring on just two of its first 16 possessions, DePaul heated up with scores on six straight trips up the floor to get within 22-15 before a Toby Hegner jumper quelled the rally. Creighton would head into the intermission leading DePaul 34-27, as the Jays were paced by eight points from James Milliken and 12-of-24 shooting from the floor as a team.
DePaul steadily chipped away at Creighton's lead, tying the score on Jamee Crockett's jumper with 13:15 to play at 40-40. After an Austin Chatman three-pointer, DePaul quickly answered on Forrest Robinson's long-range heave.
Creighton would do just enough and not fall behind, despite repeated bursts from the hosts. DePaul had one shot to move ahead with 6:27, but Durrell McDonald's trey from the right corner was long.
After that close call, CU get a bucket from Milliken and scores by Chatman and Will Artino in a 9-0 run to move ahead 65-54 with 2:02 to play, and the Blue Demons never got closer than nine the rest of the night.
Milliken led Creighton with 18 points, while Chatman had 12 and Artino had 13 points off the bench. Creighton won the rebound battle, 38-22, and outscored DPU 18-6 after an offensive rebound.
DePaul was paced by 14 points from Forrest Robinson, 13 by Jamee Crockett and 10 from Rashaun Stimage.
Creighton returns to action on Saturday when it plays at Seton Hall for a 3 pm Central game that will air on CBS Sports Network.
NOTES: Creighton is now 18-1 all-time when Avery Dingman makes multiple three-pointers, as he did on Tuesday night ... Austin Chatman made his 99th consecutive start for Creighton. ... Creighton has alternated wins and losses in the past eight games ... Creighton improved to 10-3 this season when leading at halftime, and 98-13 all-time under Greg McDermott ... Greg McDermott is now 400-248 in his 21st season as a head coach ... Among those in attendance was Greg McDermott's son Doug, the 2014 National Player of the Year and currently a rookie with the Chicago Bulls.
