GAME NOTES: The DePaul Blue Demons try to bring an end to a four-game slide on Tuesday as they clash with the Ohio Bobcats in the Diamond Head Classic at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Since opening the 2014-15 campaign with six wins in seven tries, the one loss coming against Lehigh (86-74), the Blue Demons have been spiraling out of control. Except for a 78-72 setback to Illinois State on Dec. 14, the team has been dropping meetings by double digits and doesn't show signs of recovering.

On Monday, the Blue Demons were pitted against Colorado in the opening round of this tournament and were taken down in an 82-68 final, leaving them just one game over .500.

As for the Bobcats, they have been sporadic at best, failing to even put together back-to-back wins by the second month of the season. Even the victories for Ohio have been unimpressive, having defeated the likes of Appalachian State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Alcorn State. Yesterday the team was dominated by George Washington, 77-49.

As far as the all-time series between the teams is concerned, DePaul has claimed victory in six of the previous eight meetings. The most recent triumph took place back in 2003 at Ohio by a 63-60 final.

Both teams will be back in the championship round of the tournament on Christmas Day, with opponents to be determined based on Tuesday's results.

The Bobcats were held to only 37.5 percent shooting from the floor by George Washington, including 6-of-21 behind the 3-point line, not to mention being outscored at the free-throw line by a 12-1 margin in the first game of this tourney. Ryan Taylor was the lone double-digit scorer for Ohio as he tallied 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the floor, the other four starters combining to make just 11-of-31 from the field.

Maurice Ndour, who finished with eight points and five rebounds on Monday, continues to pace the Bobcats both in scoring (14.5 ppg) and rebounding (8.8 rpg) on the season. But for someone who plays so well in the paint, his efforts to become a 3-point shooting threat (4-of-19) appears to be misplaced. Credited with nine points against the Colonials, the second-leading scorer for the Bobcats at this stage is Javarez Willis with 14.3 ppg, thanks in large part to his 20-of-52 (.385) effort out on the perimeter.

The Blue Demons dug themselves a considerable hole against Colorado as they connected on just nine field goals in the first half and were 1-of-10 behind the 3-point line, en route to the double-digit setback. Tommy Hamilton tried to save the day with his double-double consisting of 16 points and 12 rebounds, but he was also charged with six of his team's 18 turnovers along the way. Billy Garrett accounted for 15 points, thanks mostly to his perfect 11-of-11 showing at the free-throw line and not his 2-of-11 effort from the field. Myke Henry pitched in with another 10 points.

The Blue Demons are one of a rare breed these days in college basketball, remaining with the same starting lineup through the first 11 games of the campaign. As such, Henry is the leading scorer for the group with his 15.6 ppg based on 53.5 percent shooting from the field and 45.5 percent accuracy on the outside. Tommy Hamilton checks in with 13.2 ppg and both Garrett and Jamee Crockett supply 12.5 ppg, the former also pacing the program with 38 assists in an effort to kick-start the offense.

At some point this slide has to come to an end for the Blue Demons and now that they are pitted against an opponent that, on paper, seems to be a lesser foe, this might be the perfect time to take care of business -- away from the pressures at home.