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Last year at Wintrust Arena, the Boston College Eagles rallied in the game’s final minute to defeat DePaul. The Blue Demons weren’t about to let that happen again.
With 54 seconds remaining, DePaul (6-0) found themselves holding on to a 65-64 lead for dear life.
That was when Kansas transfer Charlie Moore stepped up and drained two three pointers and knocked down two free throws in the final 50 seconds to preserve the 72-67 victory at Conte Forum for the Blue Demons.
“This was the first time all year that we had some adversity,” DePaul coach Dave Leitao told WSCR Radio. “I said that we’ve got to be able to buckle down and do the things that require us to do at that particular time. I thought our defense throughout the game was really good. They only shot 36 percent overall. It was good late when we needed to be.”
Moore led all scorers with 24 points and dished out eight assists while playing 39 of the game’s 40 minutes.
Freshman Romeo Weems stepped up big today with a double-double effort of career high 17 points and career high 10 rebounds.
DePaul junior big man Paul Reed played only 26 minutes due to foul trouble, but still managed to record his fifth double-double effort out of the last six games. Reed finished with 11 points on five of nine shooting along with 10 rebounds.
Junior Jaylen Butz contributed 11 points and six rebounds.
Rebounding was a key for the Blue Demons in the victory. DePaul owned the glass and outrebounded Boston College (4-2) by a 47-28 margin. The Demons especially did well on the offensive glass with a 16-6 edge there.
“You support your defense from the inside-out,” said Leitao. “I think (Butz) did a really good job today. Paul got in foul trouble today, but his length mattered and they both rebounded and didn’t give up a lot of second shots.”
The Blue Demons also helped their cause by knocking down their free throws when it mattered the most.
Leitao, a native of nearby New Bedford, Massachusetts was glad to get the victory with lots of family and friends in attendance.
“It means the world,” Leitao said of seeing the family and getting the win.
USC transfer Derryck Thornton led the way for the Eagles with 16 points.
The Blue Demons will return to Wintrust Arena on Tuesday night where they will face the Central Michigan Chippewas.