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DePaul made its final five shots from the field as the Blue Demons held off a couple of second half charges by Eastern Illinois to pick up a 78-69 win over the Panthers.
Trailing 29-25 at the half Eastern Illinois made an early second half run taking a 36-34 lead with 17:13 to play on a runner by
Zion Fruster.
DePaul answered with a 14-0 run led by three 3-pointers by David Skogman as part of a 15-of-39 night by the Blue Demons from 3-point range. DePaul would go up double digits for the first time in the second half on free throws by Troy D'Amico giving DePaul a 55-45 lead. D'Amico had 14 points as one of five DePaul players in double figures.
EIU finished the game with four players in double figures led by
Kooper Jacobi with 22 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
Fruster had 12 points including a 3-pointer with 4:19 to play that cut the DePaul lead to 61-58. Isaiah Rivera answered with a 3-pointer and the Blue Demons were able to hold off the Panthers.
Nakyel Shelton was 11-of-11 from the foul line ending with 17 points.Â
Artese Stapleton was the fourth EIU player in double figures with ten points.
The Panthers fall to 1-4 on the season while DePaul is off to a 5-0 start. Jacob Meyer had 16 points to lead the Blue Demons.Â