Walker leads DePaul to Third at Paradise Jam

ST. THOMAS, USVI - Will Walker scored a season-high 25 points and Devin Hill knocked down a pair of jumpers down the stretch as DePaul claimed third place at the Paradise Jam with a 58-51 win over Saint Joseph's. The Blue Demons held their fourth straight opponent under 60 points to start the season heading into Saturday's home game against Detroit.

DePaul (3-1) led by as many as 11 points in the first half behind Walker's 15 points in the opening frame. Playing without leading scorer and rebounder Mac Koshwal, Walker finished the night leading all scorers with 25 points to go along with seven rebounds. Koshwal sat out the game with an injured left foot and entered the night averaging 15.0 points and 13.0 rebounds over DePaul's first three games.

The Hawks closed the early advantage to just five before Walker scored the final five points of the first half to give the Blue Demons a 34-24 lead at intermission.

The Blue Demons maintained a safe cushion for most of the second half before a jumper by Idris Hilliard pulled St. Joseph's (3-2) to within a point at 45-44 with 7:47 left. The two teams traded baskets over the next five minutes and Darrin Govins made two-of-three free throw attempts to tie the score at 49-49 with just under three minutes left on the clock.

DePaul didn't give in as the Blue Demons refused to relinquish the lead they had held since midway through the first half. Hill answered with a jumper before Govens knocked down two more free throws. However, the Hawks would go scoreless over the final 1:50 as Hill sank another jumper to give the Blue Demons the lead for good with 50 seconds left.

Walker cushioned DePaul's advantage with four straight free throws in the final 23 seconds to seal the 58-51 decision.

Hill finished the evening with eight points and six rebounds while Krys Faber came off the bench for seven points and a career-high eight boards in 14 minutes of action. Eric Wallace added five points and seven rebounds while the Blue Demons committed just eight turnovers in the game.

Saint Joseph's was led by 16 points from Govens and 10 points from Garrett Williamson.

DePaul hosts Detroit on Saturday afternoon at Allstate Arena. Tip time is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Box Score