DePaul finally wins in Cincy
For 16 years, DePaul dreaded the trip.
No matter who was the coach -- Joey Meyer, Pat Kennedy, Dave Leitao or Jerry Wainwright -- the Blue Demons always got off the bus and lost. The players changed, the schemes were different, but the outcome was always the same.
Finally, they've found the players to end it.
Draelon Burns scored 24 points, and DePaul ended its 16-year losing streak at Cincinnati with a 60-54 victory Thursday night that ruined the Bearcats' senior night tribute and extended their late-season slump.
DePaul (11-18, 6-11 Big East) had lost its last 15 games at Cincinnati since a 71-69 victory on Feb. 20, 1992. This one was a breakthrough in several ways. The Blue Demons had lost their last five games overall and nine of 10.
"It was an ugly game in some ways," said Wainwright, in his third season at DePaul. "We've really struggled over the last couple of weeks. We've had a lot of road games."
For Cincinnati (13-16, 8-9), it was another homecourt loss to a struggling team. The Bearcats have dropped four in a row, and were coming off an 81-79 overtime loss at home to struggling Providence on Sunday.
The Bearcats took a 48-45 lead on John Williamson's tip-in with 8:29 to play, then managed only 1 free throw over the next seven minutes while DePaul built a 7-point lead.
Deonta Vaughn's 3-pointer cut it to 56-54 with 25 seconds left, but Burns and Cliff Clinkscales each made a pair of free throws to clinch it. Dar Tucker added 15 points for the Blue Demons.
The Bearcats have clinched a berth in the Big East tournament, but are watching their hopes of bigger things slip away.
"I can't describe it," senior center Adam Hrycaniuk said. "That's all I can say about it. We've got a few more games. We've got to still stay positive. It's not like it's over for us."
DePaul came out shooting 3s and making them -- 9 of 15 in the first half, which ended with the Blue Demons ahead 31-28. Burns got it going, making all 4 of his attempts from behind the arc during an opening 15-4 run that got DePaul enthused.
"Draelon's fast start really helped us," Wainwright said. "Anytime you can make some baskets early on the road, it gives you some confidence. We're fighting for our lives, as you know, trying to get into our conference tournament. This is a very important win for us."
Saint Joseph's 71, Xavier 66: Pat Calathes scored 17 points and Saint Joseph's closed Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse in Philadelphia with one more upset win, beating No. 8 Xavier.
With former Hawks stars, including Jack Ramsay and Jameer Nelson courtside, Saint Joseph's (18-10, 9-6 Atlantic 10) added to the history of its venerable arena. Playing the 401st and final game in their on-campus arena until the 2009-10 season, the Hawks marked the occasion by knocking off the highest-ranked opponent to lose at the fieldhouse.
Derrick Brown led the Musketeers (25-5, 13-2) with 18 points.