DePaul cracks into win column with 72-54 win over Alcorn State

DePaul won.

Thanks to three double figure efforts from Charlie Moore, Paul Reed and Romeo Weems, the Blue Demons trounced the Alcorn State Braves 72-54 to enter the win column to start the season. DePaul’s win on Tuesday night marked the 15th time that they’ve picked up a win in their season opener in the last 19 seasons.

DePaul was able to get out and run in this game from the jump. They led 17-0 at one point before Alcorn’s Troymain Crosby stopped the bleeding with a jumper. DePaul held a lead as large as 20 points in the first half, getting to that point after a 3-pointer by Weems, and held a 19-point edge going into the break.

Things only got better for DePaul the rest of the way. They pushed their lead up to as much as 27 following free throws from Reed early on, and maintained a lead no worse than 17 the rest of the half. Alcorn simply had no chance in this one, as DePaul really flexed their muscles en route to this win.

Reed led the charge for the Blue Demons with 17 points. He didn’t miss a single shot from the field, going 6-for-6, 1-for-1 on his only 3-point attempt and 4-for-4 from the free throw line. He also added 11 rebounds to give him a double-double to begin the season, the 10th career double-double of his career.

Moore picked up 14 points in his DePaul debut, having of course played for the California Golden Bears and Kansas Jayhawks previously. Moore shot 3-for-3 from beyond the 3-point arc against the Braves on Tuesday night. It was the eighth time in his career that he’s made at least three 3-pointers in a single game.

Finally, Weems got his freshman year started with a 13-point showing. He shot 6-for-9 from the field and went 5-for-6 inside. He committed only two turnovers in 27 minutes, which is pretty good for anybody, freshmen included.

Jaylen Butz got nine points in 28 minutes of action, going 4-for-9 from the field. He had eight boards, tied for second with Moore’s output and of course trailing Reed’s 11. Markese Jacobs got eight points in 15 minutes off the bench in his debut as a Blue Demon. Perhaps the only cause for concern is that Jalen Coleman-Lands played 25 minutes and didn’t record a single point. But, he did get into foul trouble as he finished with four fouls. The good news is that there’s nowhere to go but up.

DePaul will play Chicago on Wednesday before welcoming Fairleigh Dickinson to WinTrust Arena on Friday, November 8.