The News & Observer - Raleigh,NC

[Bills71]

DePaul (6-4) vs. Saint Louis (6-4)

By Sports Network - The Sports Network

Published: Mon, Dec. 22, 2008 11:00AMModified Mon, Dec. 22, 2008 11:00AM

GAME NOTES: The Las Vegas Classic resumes at Orleans Arena tonight, as the DePaul Blue Demons clash with the Saint Louis Billikens in the semifinal round. The winner of this bout will earn the right to play for the tournament title against either Creighton or Fresno State on Tuesday. The Demons hosted a pair of games in this event already, defeating Liberty (64-63) and most recently Southern (83-46) on Friday. The victories came on the heels of a four-game slide, as DePaul now sits at 6-4 overall. As for SLU, it too hosted a pair of games in this event, prevailing over USC Upstate (55-38) on Wednesday and Liberty (73-70) on Friday. The Billikens have now run off four wins in a row to improve to 6-4 on the year. SLU and DePaul use to be former Conference USA foes, so they do have some history, as the Demons hold a 33-27 edge in the head-to-head series.

The Demons connected on 55.0 percent of their attempts from the floor and scored 25 points off 20 Southern turnovers in a romp on Friday. DePaul also used its size to outscore Southern by a decisive 46-22 margin in the paint. Dar Tucker made 8-of-9 field goals and he led DePaul with 21 points and five boards. Will Walker tallied 19 points, and Mac Koshwal notched a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. On the season, Tucker paces the Demons in scoring with 19.0 ppg and he is also collecting 6.1 rpg. Koshwal averages a double-double with 13.0 ppg and a team-high 10.0 rpg, and Walker chips in with 10.9 ppg. DePaul, as a team, is netting 66.7 ppg, although it is shooting only 39.8 percent from the field.

The Billikens made good on 45.5 percent of their field goal opportunities, as they slipped past Liberty on Friday. The team also dominated the boards, 41-24, including a 14-3 advantage on the offensive glass. Kevin Lisch led the charge for SLU with 20 points and five helpers, while Tommie Liddell III registered a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. On the year, Lisch tops the squad in scoring at 14.1 ppg and he also has 13 steals in nine games. Liddell III has formed a solid one-two punch with Lisch, as he puts forth 13.4 ppg and a a team-best 7.4 rpg. SLU, overall, is producing 59.0 ppg, while limiting its foes to an even fewer 55.0 ppg.

Both teams are playing with a lot of confidence right now and that should make for a competitive game tonight. DePaul though, appears to have a few more weapons than SLU and it should be able to control the paint en route to the victory.

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Prove them wrong BILLS!!!