Saturday, January 25
Indianapolis, IN
3 p.m.
DePaul University
10-11,1-9Big East
69
at
86
Butler
9-11,2-7Big East
1
2
F
DePaul
33
36
69
Butler
40
46
86
Benson Scores 20 Saturday at Butler
1/25/2025 5:46:00 PM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
Butler runs away late in back-and-forth contest
INDIANAPOLIS – Despite an impeccable performance by NJ Benson with 20 points and nine rebounds, DePaul men's basketball couldn't stop a second half run by Butler as they dropped an 86-67 contest Saturday afternoon.
Saturday marked Benson's fourth career game with 20 or more points, 16 of which came in the second half for him. Indianapolis native, CJ Gunn, and Conor Enright joined Benson in double-digit scoring with 16 and 12, respectively. Enright also added six assists and two steals.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first half was largely a back-and-forth affair, featuring 11 lead changes and nine ties between the two teams. Butler inched out to the largest lead of either team in the first half on a 7-3 run to end the first period up, 40-33, in large part due to 10 made free throws.
DePaul's offense looked to be clicking to open the second half as the Blue Demons shot 6-of-7 and cut the team's deficit to three, 46-49. Butler gave themselves distance with a 13-2 run for a 62-48 lead before DePaul answered with eight-consecutive points. DePaul wouldn't be able to cut it any closer than six, 56-62, as Butler's Pierre Brooks answered with a three and the Bulldogs held off DePaul's offensive attack.
OF NOTE
UP NEXT
DePaul faces its second-straight road contest as they travel to Hartford, Conn. for a midweek tilt against #19 UConn. The game is slated for a 7 p.m. CT tip on Peacock.
Saturday marked Benson's fourth career game with 20 or more points, 16 of which came in the second half for him. Indianapolis native, CJ Gunn, and Conor Enright joined Benson in double-digit scoring with 16 and 12, respectively. Enright also added six assists and two steals.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first half was largely a back-and-forth affair, featuring 11 lead changes and nine ties between the two teams. Butler inched out to the largest lead of either team in the first half on a 7-3 run to end the first period up, 40-33, in large part due to 10 made free throws.
DePaul's offense looked to be clicking to open the second half as the Blue Demons shot 6-of-7 and cut the team's deficit to three, 46-49. Butler gave themselves distance with a 13-2 run for a 62-48 lead before DePaul answered with eight-consecutive points. DePaul wouldn't be able to cut it any closer than six, 56-62, as Butler's Pierre Brooks answered with a three and the Bulldogs held off DePaul's offensive attack.
OF NOTE
- DePaul had a season-low six turnovers, its fewest in a BIG EAST game since March 5, 2022.
- It was DePaul's seventh different starting lineup of the season and first time for this edition of Enright, Layden Blocker, Gunn, Troy D'Amico and Benson).
- Blocker tied his personal-best five assists in a BIG EAST game.
- Gunn extended his career-best scoring streak to six games with 10 or more points.
UP NEXT
DePaul faces its second-straight road contest as they travel to Hartford, Conn. for a midweek tilt against #19 UConn. The game is slated for a 7 p.m. CT tip on Peacock.
Team Stats
DePaul
Butler
FG%
.508
.517
3FG%
.238
.417
FT%
.444
.941
RB
26
36
TO
6
6
STL
5
2
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
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