Eli Cain scored a team-high 19 points in the 63-61 loss to South Florida.
MBB Minute -- South Florida Edges DePaul in Game One of CBI Finals
DePaul overcame an 11-point deficit in the second half to take a late lead, but South Florida connected on a basket with two seconds left to post a 63-61 victory in game one of the CBI Finals in Tampa, Fla. The second game in the best-of-three series will be played Wednesday at McGrath-Phillips Arena at 8 p.m. ET on ESPNU. If the Blue Demons even the series, they will host the deciding game on Friday.
Eli Cain led the Blue Demons with 19 points, which included a game-tying 3-pointer with 11 seconds left. He made 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. Max Strus added 17 points. Paul Reed contributed seven points and a game-high 12 rebounds. DePaul had averaged 96.3 points per game in its first three CBI contests. The 61 points was a season low in scoring.
DePaul is the second BIG EAST team to compete in the CBI. Pittsburgh won the CBI title in 2012.