Men's basketball records 63-58 win, best start since 1999-2000

ROSEMONT, Ill. — The DePaul men's basketball team is going into the Christmas break and Big East Conference play on a high note after taking down Cal Poly 63-58 on Wednesday night at Allstate Arena.

In what was one of the best defensive efforts of the season, the Blue Demons held Cal Poly to 23-61 (38 percent) 3-17 from three-point range (17.6 percent). Though DePaul was out rebounded 42-36, it was a more physical Blue Demon team on the court.

"I was really pleased with the way our team played," head coach Oliver Purnell said. "I thought our half court defense was maybe the best it's been [all season]."

The full court defense wasn't too shabby either, confusing the Cal Poly back court and causing them to use their full allotment of timeouts until they were out with eight minutes remaining.

"We feel like we can do that to anybody if we play it well," Purnell said about the press.

The Baltimore duo of Cleveland Melvin and Brandon Young led DePaul in scoring with 16 points each. No points were more critical than the last two by Melvin when he hit two free throws to extend the lead to five and put the game out of reach for DePaul.

The duo also provided a calming influence on the court even as Cal Poly cut the lead all the way down to one point with 6:02 remaining in the game. Melvin hit a running layup and Young hit four straight free throws for a 6-0 run to extend the lead.

"He just continues to grow, I thought his poise was outstanding," Purnell said about Young in the second half. "You just feel comfortable at the end of the game that he's going to get us a pretty good shot."

Another arrival that is much anticipated by the coaches and players is of Donnavan Kirk. The Miami (FL) transfer has been out with a back injury and wore a back brace Wednesday night, but played physical and altered shots. Jamee Crockett also had 10 points for DePaul.

"That's big for us [Kirk coming back]. I was pleased that he continues to grow and get comfortable for us," Purnell said about Kirk. "I've got big hopes that after Christmas we can get that back brace off of him and be close to 100 percent. He was our best inside player in terms of defensive presence."

The 9-3 record is the best start for DePaul since the 1999-2000 season and leads into the first Big East game of the season, against one of the best teams in the country in Syracuse.

"I'm enjoying it, but we're not going to stop right here," Young acknowledged about the hot start. "We're going to keep on moving forward."