Saturday, December 28
Chicago, Ill.
1 p.m.
DePaul University
9-4,0-2Big East
84
vs
65
Loyola (Md.)
5-6,0-0Patriot
1
2
F
Loyola Maryland
26
39
65
DePaul
44
40
84
DePaul Closes Out 2024 With Victory
12/28/2024 4:38:00 PM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
Blue Demons pick up ninth non-conference wins
CHICAGO – DePaul men's basketball earned its ninth non-conference win of the season Saturday evening as they sailed to an 84-65 victory against Loyola (Md.). The Blue Demons were led by a dominant performance from NJ Benson who registered a career-best 17 points and tied a personal-high with 22 points for his first double-double of the season. It was the first 20-point, 17-rebound performance by a DePaul player since 2021.
Jacob Meyer added 12 points, followed by 11 a piece from CJ Gunn and Isaiah Rivera to round out the double-digit scorers. Conor Enright notched a game-best eight assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED
DePaul (9-4, 0-2 BIG EAST) came out with immediate defensive intensity, holding Loyola to 0-of-5 shooting and eight turnovers before the first media timeout. An early four points from Benson gave DePaul a 13-3 lead. Loyola Maryland (5-6) used a 9-0 run to get as close as possible, 13-12, before Gunn shut it down with a three-point play that secured DePaul would never trail. The Blue Demons ended the half on a 14-5 run for the 44-26 halftime lead.
After both teams traded several baskets to open the second period, DePaul's momentum picked back up with back-to-back buckets from Benson and Enright. A 12-1 run followed as DePaul reached its largest lead of the game at 29 before closing out the game.
OF NOTE
UP NEXT
DePaul will remain home to kick off 2025 as they play host to two-time defending national champions, UConn, on New Year's Day. The Jan. 1 game will tip off at 1 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
For all the latest information on DePaul Men's Basketball, please visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, following the Blue Demons on X, Instagram and Facebook.
TICKET INFORMATION
Season tickets for the 2024-25 men's basketball season start at $195. Secure your seats today at DePaulBlueDemons.com/Tickets and commit to the Chris Holtmann era at Wintrust Arena!
Mobile passes, group outings, suite rentals and single-game tickets are on sale now.
Fans can stay up-to-date on special ticket offers by signing up for email or text updates from DePaul Athletics.
Jacob Meyer added 12 points, followed by 11 a piece from CJ Gunn and Isaiah Rivera to round out the double-digit scorers. Conor Enright notched a game-best eight assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED
DePaul (9-4, 0-2 BIG EAST) came out with immediate defensive intensity, holding Loyola to 0-of-5 shooting and eight turnovers before the first media timeout. An early four points from Benson gave DePaul a 13-3 lead. Loyola Maryland (5-6) used a 9-0 run to get as close as possible, 13-12, before Gunn shut it down with a three-point play that secured DePaul would never trail. The Blue Demons ended the half on a 14-5 run for the 44-26 halftime lead.
After both teams traded several baskets to open the second period, DePaul's momentum picked back up with back-to-back buckets from Benson and Enright. A 12-1 run followed as DePaul reached its largest lead of the game at 29 before closing out the game.
OF NOTE
- Benson's 17 rebounds are the most by a BIG EAST player since Dec. 20, 2022.
- He is also the first DePaul player to have 15+ rebounds without a foul since Mac Koshwal on Feb. 10, 2009.
- Gunn registered a double-digit scoring effort for the 10th time in his career and sixth of the season.
- The team scored a season-high 24 second chance points and 52 points in the paint.
- Benson and Gunn both earned their first starts as Blue Demons, marking DePaul's fifth different starting lineup this season.
- A total of seven Blue Demons recorded five or more points while 10 of the 12 who made an appearance scored.
UP NEXT
DePaul will remain home to kick off 2025 as they play host to two-time defending national champions, UConn, on New Year's Day. The Jan. 1 game will tip off at 1 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
For all the latest information on DePaul Men's Basketball, please visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, following the Blue Demons on X, Instagram and Facebook.
TICKET INFORMATION
Season tickets for the 2024-25 men's basketball season start at $195. Secure your seats today at DePaulBlueDemons.com/Tickets and commit to the Chris Holtmann era at Wintrust Arena!
Mobile passes, group outings, suite rentals and single-game tickets are on sale now.
Fans can stay up-to-date on special ticket offers by signing up for email or text updates from DePaul Athletics.
Team Stats
Loyola
DePaul
FG%
.444
.449
3FG%
.353
.208
FT%
.550
.739
RB
31
47
TO
15
7
STL
4
6
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
G
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