Saturday, January 11
Chicago, Ill.
3 p.m.
DePaul University
9-8,0-6Big East
63
vs
77
Xavier
10-7,2-4Big East
1
2
F
Xavier
38
39
77
DePaul
23
40
63
Xavier Tops Blue Demons Saturday Afternoon
1/11/2025 6:10:00 PM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
Gunn leads DePaul with 16 points
CHICAGO – Despite a 16-point, seven rebound performance by CJ Gunn, the DePaul men's basketball team was defeated by Xavier at Wintrust Arena, 77-63, Saturday afternoon. Gunn set a new personal-best with his seven rebounds, while recording his second-straight game of 15 or more points.
Gunn was joined in double-digit scoring efforts by Jacob Meyer and NJ Benson with 14 and 13, respectively. Benson also contributed five rebounds, three blocks and a career-high two steals.
HOW IT HAPPENED
DePaul (9-8, 0-6 BIG EAST) opened the game with strong shooting, going 3-of-3 in the opening minutes for a 7-5 lead. With the game tied at nine apiece, Conor Enright and Isaiah Rivera hit back-to-back three-pointers as DePaul held a 15-11 lead. Xavier's (10-7, 2-4 BIG EAST) leading scorer Zach Freemantle stopped a two minute scoring drought and pulling within a point, 15-14. After forcing six Xavier turnovers in the opening quarter of the game, DePaul held onto a 20-19 lead with a three-pointer by CJ Gunn. Following that period however, Xavier took their first lead of the game on a three-pointer by Jerome Hunter and would not relinquish it back. The Musketeers ended the half on a 21-3 run for a 38-23 advantage.
After Xavier scored a quick seven points to open the second half, DePaul's offense got clicking with a 10-0 run that included six points, two rebounds, a steal, assist and block by NJ Benson. With just an 11-point advantage, Xavier immediately answered with a three-pointer to keep an 14-point advantage. Another run by the Musketeers would put the game out of reach from the Blue Demons.
OF NOTE
UP NEXT
DePaul has a quick turnaround as they welcome #7 Marquette to Wintrust Arena on Tuesday, Jan. 14. The game is slated to tip off at 6 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.
Gunn was joined in double-digit scoring efforts by Jacob Meyer and NJ Benson with 14 and 13, respectively. Benson also contributed five rebounds, three blocks and a career-high two steals.
HOW IT HAPPENED
DePaul (9-8, 0-6 BIG EAST) opened the game with strong shooting, going 3-of-3 in the opening minutes for a 7-5 lead. With the game tied at nine apiece, Conor Enright and Isaiah Rivera hit back-to-back three-pointers as DePaul held a 15-11 lead. Xavier's (10-7, 2-4 BIG EAST) leading scorer Zach Freemantle stopped a two minute scoring drought and pulling within a point, 15-14. After forcing six Xavier turnovers in the opening quarter of the game, DePaul held onto a 20-19 lead with a three-pointer by CJ Gunn. Following that period however, Xavier took their first lead of the game on a three-pointer by Jerome Hunter and would not relinquish it back. The Musketeers ended the half on a 21-3 run for a 38-23 advantage.
After Xavier scored a quick seven points to open the second half, DePaul's offense got clicking with a 10-0 run that included six points, two rebounds, a steal, assist and block by NJ Benson. With just an 11-point advantage, Xavier immediately answered with a three-pointer to keep an 14-point advantage. Another run by the Musketeers would put the game out of reach from the Blue Demons.
OF NOTE
- DePaul tallied 17 assists, assisting on 80 percent of its made field goals.
- Benson has recorded four games of 10 or more points in his last five played.
- Meyer hit his 15th game of the season scoring in double-digits.
- Layden Blocker tallied four assists, his personal best in a conference game.
UP NEXT
DePaul has a quick turnaround as they welcome #7 Marquette to Wintrust Arena on Tuesday, Jan. 14. The game is slated to tip off at 6 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.
Team Stats
XU
DePaul
FG%
.481
.396
3FG%
.450
.323
FT%
.800
.733
RB
36
28
TO
12
12
STL
6
4
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
14
FGM
3
3FGM
3
FTM
5
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ MEN'S BASKETBALL
G
/ MEN'S BASKETBALLG
/ MEN'S BASKETBALL
G
/ MEN'S BASKETBALLDeWayne Peevy and Chris Holtmann Media Availability - 7/22
Thursday, July 31
Media Availability: DeWayne Peevy and Chris Holtmann
Tuesday, July 22
Episode 22: NJ Benson, Men's Basketball
Thursday, June 05
College Basketball Crown Postgame Press Conference
Tuesday, April 01