Javon Freeman-Liberty had 17 points and six rebounds, but 10th-seeded DePaul suffered a 92-73 loss to seventh-seeded St. John’s and was eliminated in the first round of the Big East tournament in New York.
The Blue Demons opened the game with a 12-2 run as Freeman-Liberty led the way with six points. But St. John’s went on a 24-5 run over a span of eight-plus minutes to take a 26-17 lead.
The Blue Demons (15-16) pulled to within two after a pair of Nick Ongenda baskets, a Freeman-Liberty free throw and a basket in the paint by Brandon Johnson. Julian Champagnie anwered with 12 straight points for St. John’s and the Red Storm (17-14) scored the final 11 points of the first half to take a commanding 49-29 lead. The Blue Demons couldn’t close the deficit in the second half.
Champagnie had 26 points to lead the Red Storm (17-14).
