University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Eagles Lose Big at DePaul
2/29/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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Complete Game Statistics
Eagles Lose Big at DePaul
CHICAGO, Ill. - Southern Miss dropped an 80-51 decision to a steadily-improving DePaul team in the Allstate Arena here Saturday afternoon, but got some help from other teams around Conference USA, and still earned a spot in the 12-team C-USA tournament that will be played in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 10-13.
After keeping the game close for much of the first half, the Golden Eagles saw the Blue Demons put together a 13-5 run to close the half and take a 31-22 lead into the locker room. DePaul then strung together a 16-5 run to open the second half, and the resulting 47-29 lead proved to be more than the visiting Eagles could overcome.
That lead eventually grew to as many as 32 points late in the game.
The loss dropped the Eagles to 12-13 overall and 5-9 in Conference USA, while the winners improved to 17-8 overall and 10-4 in the league. The loss was the third straight for Southern Miss, the longest such streak of the season. On the other hand, the Blue Demons won for the seventh time in their last eight games.
But he news wasn't all bad. Thanks to the combination of results from other conference games played Saturday, Southern Miss apparently clinched a spot in the upcoming tournament. Pairings for the three-day event will be released following the conclusion of regular season games next week.
In Saturday's game at DePaul, Charles Gaines did most of the damage for the Golden Eagles as he put his 13th double-double of the season into the books with a 24-point, 12 rebound game. He was the only Southern Miss player in double figures in the game and one point short of accounting for half the Golden Eagle points.
Only Ronald Pittman got close to double figures, with eight points. Southern Miss made just 22-of-51 field goal attempts (.431), while the Blue Demons made 32-of-60 (.533), including 19-of-32 (.594) in the second half.
For DePaul, four players made it into double figures, with Andre Brown making 10-of-12 baskets and leading the way with 24 points. Delonte Hollard added 18 more. The Blue Demons committed just seven turnovers in the game, while forcing Southern Miss into 16. DePaul also won the rebounding battle, 31-29.
Following the DePaul game, the Eagles close the regular season at home against Tulane (Mar. 3) and East Carolina (Mar. 8). Tickets to both games, as well as the Conference USA Tournament in Cincinnati, can be purchase at the Ferlise Center Ticket office, or by calling 1-800-844-TICK.
