Hot Second Half Sends Providence Past DePaul

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Randall Hanke scored 21 points and Geoff McDermott recorded a double-double as Providence College defeated DePaul, 79-65, in Big East Conference action Tuesday night.

McDermott scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Friars snapped a four-game losing streak and improved to 13-9 overall and 4-6 in the Big East.

Dwain Williams added 20 points for Providence, including 18 in the second half. The Blue Demons (9-13, 4-6), whove lost four in a row and five of their last seven, were led by Draelon Burns (17 points) and Will Walker (13 points).

DePaul led 35-28 at halftime but Providence began the second half with a 10-0 run and an 11-0 run.

After shooting a mediocre 45.8 percent (11-24) in the first half, Providence warmed up after intermission and shot 65.4 percent (17-26) in the second half.

During one stretch, the Friars connected on 10 of 14 shots.

The Blue Demons built their first-half lead by scoring 17 points off 11 Providence turnovers.

Williams scored off his own steal to tie it at 26-26 with 3:14 left before intermission. But DePaul outscored Providence, 9-2, with Walker accounting for seven points to go head 35-28.

The Friars, who are 11-1 all-time at home versus DePaul, out-rebounded the Blue Demons, 34-27, and also shot 84.2 percent (16-19) from the free throw line.

Game Notes: Draelon Burns moved into 28th place on DePaul’s all-time scoring list passing Lance Williams (1998-2001), Burns now has 1,185 career points... it was the 12th game this season DePaul had the lead at halftime and the Blue Demons fell to 6-6 when leading at intermission... this was the seventh time this season Karron Clarke has scored DePaul’s first points of the game, a team-high.

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