DePaul surged past Wichita State with a commanding 91-72 victory on Saturday at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The Blue Demons’ second-half dominance and efficient scoring proved decisive as they improved to 8-2 on the season, while the Shockers dropped to 8-2.
Game Breakdown
The first half was tightly contested, with multiple lead changes and scoring runs. Wichita State briefly led after a 12-0 run, but DePaul regained control by halftime, trailing just 47-42. In the second half, DePaul flipped the script, outscoring the Shockers 49-25 behind improved defense and sharp offensive execution.
Jacob Meyer was the star for DePaul, pouring in 23 points on 4-of-6 shooting from three-point range. He also added four rebounds and a steal. Meyer commented on the team’s perseverance:
“We stuck to the game plan, tightened up defensively, and trusted each other offensively. That’s what made the difference in the second half.”
Isaiah Rivera provided critical support with 17 points, including 5-of-8 from beyond the arc, and grabbed seven rebounds. Rivera highlighted the team’s second-half energy:
“We wanted to come out aggressive and make a statement. Everyone contributed, and that’s the type of team we are.”.
Wichita State’s Quincy Ballard led the team with 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting and added five rebounds, while Corey Washington chipped in nine points and eight rebounds. The Shockers struggled to counter DePaul’s relentless pressure and transition scoring in the second half.
Key Stats:
• DePaul: Shot 52% from the field (32-62) and 52% from three (17-33).
• Wichita State: Shot 51% from the field (26-51) but only 47% from three (7-15).
• DePaul outrebounded Wichita State 26-25 and recorded eight steals, capitalizing on turnovers for 17 points.
Turning Point
The decisive moment came midway through the second half, when DePaul went on a 17-5 run over six minutes, extending their lead to 14. This stretch included back-to-back threes by Meyer and Rivera, effectively sealing the game.
DePaul now looks ahead to building on this momentum as they prepare for Big East play, while Wichita State will seek to rebound as they continue their non-conference schedule.
