DePaul’s offense stalled Saturday while point guard Billy Garrett Jr. nursed a lower leg injury on the bench. Marquette took advantage, blowing past the Blue Demons for a 73-60 win in the rivalry matchup at Allstate Arena.
DePaul center Tommy Hamilton IV played his best game in several weeks, tallying 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting. However, the Blue Demons as a whole shot 42 percent from the field and scored 0.95 points per possession.
DePaul’s offense improved in the final 14 minutes, but a sloppy first half and poor perimeter defense allowed Marquette to open up a 37-26 at halftime. The Golden Eagles then opened the second period on a 13-4 run and grabbed a 50-30 advantage.
Marquette freshman Haanif Cheatham exploded for 20 points and shot 4-of-6 on 3-pointers, including a pair of treys late in the first half. He also completed an old-fashioned three-point play when Marquette came out of halftime on tear.
A late flurry led by freshmen guards Eli Cain and Erten Gazi brought DePaul within 70-60 with 1:15 remaining. Cain, who scored a career-high 25 points against St. John’s, finished with eight points, five assists and two blocks. With six points, Gazi set a new career-high in scoring against Big East competition.
