DePaul University dropped its fourth straight Big East matchup, falling to 10th-ranked Georgetown University, 83-75, on Jan. 17 at Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road.

The Blue Demons fought from behind for the majority of the game, going into the second half down 37–31 after a last-minute 3-pointer by guard Brandon Young, who had 16 points by the end of the night.

Coming out of halftime, the Demons pressured the Hoyas defensively up and down the court, while 2 points by DePaul forward Cleveland Melvin and a 3-pointer by forward Jamee Crockett helped bring DePaul within 1 point of Georgetown.

That was the closest the Demons got to the Hoyas for the rest of the game, although the team did come within 2 points during an 8-point scoring streak midway through the second half.

“There are good spurts out there where you see offense, tenacious defense and timely rebounds, but we’re not doing it long enough,” said Demons Head Coach Oliver Purnell.

Rebounding has been a problem for the Demons all season and Jan. 17 was no different. DePaul was out-rebounded 47-25, making it the biggest rebounding deficit this season and allowing the Hoyas 19 second-chance points.

“There were a couple areas we really struggled in that didn’t give us a chance to win the ball game, and one of them is obviously rebounding,” Purnell said.

The game wasn’t all bad for DePaul’s Worrel Clahar, who was in the starting lineup for the first time all season.

“It was something that I worked real hard for,” Clahar said about starting the game. “I mean, I try to get shots up late at night in the gym and work really hard on my off time.”

The 5-foot-11-inch guard had 7 total points and 3 rebounds. Clahar had the second most total rebounds on the team, next to Melvin’s six. Clahar said he felt good playing against a Georgetown lineup stacked with players a head taller than himself.

“You’ve still gotta fight hard, no matter your size,” Clahar said. “If you play hard, you can get the job done.”

Without Clahar, DePaul’s bench still managed to score 31 of DePaul’s 75 points, including a career-high 17 by forward Moses Morgan, who hit five 3-pointers.

“I just wanted to come out aggressive because I knew the last few games I haven’t been shooting well,” Morgan said.

The loss came after a three-game road trip for the Demons in which the team lost all of its games against Villanova, Seton Hall and Louisville universities, making DePaul 1-5 in conference play. DePaul’s schedule continued against an unranked University of Southern Florida on Jan. 22. Scores were not available as of press time.

The Demons’ schedule won’t get any easier as the season continues. Although it isn’t playing a ranked team until its Feb. 6 game against the Marquette University Golden Eagles, the team will have to face the University of Cincinnati Bearcats, which is 4-1 in conference play, and the Rutgers University Scarlet Knights, which is 3-3 in conference play.