DePaul defeats Xavier 86-77

DePaul Dominates at Home, Wins 86-77 Over Xavier in Conference Thriller

A Balanced Effort from Both Teams Falls Short of Upset Victory

In a tightly contested conference matchup, the home team DePaul proved to be too much for visiting Xavier, edging out the Musketeers 86-77 on Sunday evening at Wintrust Arena.

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with DePaul taking an early lead and Xavier responding in kind. At halftime, the Blue Demons held a slim 40-37 advantage, but it wasn't until the second half that they truly pulled away.

DePaul's CJ Gunn was the catalyst for the rally, scoring 10 points in the final 20 minutes to lead his team to their largest lead of the night – 11 points. The Musketeers, meanwhile, struggled from beyond the arc, making just one of seven three-point attempts in the second half.

Despite Xavier's efforts, DePaul's defense proved too much to overcome. The Blue Demons held the Musketeers to just six fast break points and limited them to a season-low 44.1% eFG rate.

For Xavier, Tre Carroll was the lone bright spot on offense, scoring 17 points but also accounting for eight of his team's 10 turnovers. Filip Borovicanin paced the Musketeers in rebounding, grabbing 10 boards but ultimately falling short against DePaul's balanced attack.

Advanced Statistics Offer Further Clues

Advanced metrics provided a glimpse into how both teams approached the game. DePaul's 58.7 eFG percentage and 59.6 free throw rate were particularly noteworthy, as they helped to fuel their victory. Conversely, Xavier struggled with efficiency, posting a 48.6 eFG rate that was nearly 10% lower than DePaul's mark.

The Blue Demons also made significant strides on the defensive end, holding Xavier to just 22.9% OREB and limiting them to a mere two blocks in the second half.

Conclusion

In the end, DePaul's home court advantage proved too much for visiting Xavier to overcome. While the Musketeers had some bright spots – particularly from Tre Carroll – it was ultimately the Blue Demons who emerged victorious. For Xavier, this loss will serve as a valuable learning experience in how to better prepare for their conference foes at home.

DePaul, meanwhile, will look to build on their momentum and continue their push for success in the conference standings. With Gunn and company leading the way, it's clear that they're a team to watch in the coming weeks.