Dons Take Third With 70-54 Win Over DePaul
PHOENIX — Leading by just five at the half, the San Francisco Dons ripped off an 18-6 scoring stretch that opened the second stanza and carried the momentum to a 70-54 victory over the DePaul Blue Demons in the Third Place Game of the Cactus Division at the Arizona Tip-Off Sunday afternoon.
Both sides traded blows in the first half, with neither squad holding a lead larger than seven. San Francisco (3-2) had its seven point edge with 2:29 left in the first half, but DePaul (1-4) cut its deficit to just three at the break. The Dons received nearly half of its first half points – 15 of 33 – from its bench – while shooting 50% from the field.
San Francisco made eight of its first 11 shots after the halftime break and shot 52% from the field. When the Dons extended the lead to double digits with 17:38 left, it never relinquished that advantage.
The 18-6 spurt was spearheaded by Jonathan Mogbo and Marcus Williams. Those two each scored 14 to pace the victors. The Dons snatched more rebounds (35-26) and committed less turnovers (17-18) while owning paint scoring (42-16). San Francisco also led in fast break points (16-2) and assists.
DePaul was led by Chico Carter Jr. and Da’Sean Nelson, who each dropped 15. Carter was a stellar 5-8 shooting the three, while snatching four rebounds and tossing two assists. The Blue Demons scored more points off turnovers (23-22) while shooting 50% from three point range.
The Dons will face Desert Division Champions Purdue Fort Wayne in San Francisco Wednesday, while DePaul welcomes Northern Illinois to Chicago this Saturday.