Morning Box Score: DePaul, UIC, Loyola Lose Again

By Chuck Sudo in News on Feb 4, 2011 3:50PM

Given how low DePaul basketball has sunk in recent years, it's going to take more than just "chin up" rhetoric for coach Oliver Purnell to rebuild the program. As it stands right now, DePaul simply has no business being in the loaded Big East. Eighth-ranked Notre Dame handed the Blue Demons its 22nd straight conference defeat, an 83-58 thrashing at the Allstate Arena. Irish coach Mike Brey brought his team to Chicago in advance of Tuesday night's blizzard and the foresight to not fight the storm to get to Chicago last-minute proved wise. Ben Hansbrough led an energized Irish squad with 24 points as DePaul was simply outmatched.

Meanwhile, UIC dropped to 1-10 in Horizon League play with a 77-63 loss to Detroit. Detroit shot 54.8 percent from the field in the second-half to break a 35-all halftime score. Loyola's Horizon League struggles also continued with a 76-63 loss at Wright State in Dayton, OH. After a 9-2 non-conference start, the Ramblers have since posted a 4-8 Horizon League record.