DePaul University Athletics
Friday, November 14
Chicago, Ill.
7:30 p.m.
DePaul University
2-2,0-0Big East
79
vs
81
Northwestern
4-0,0-0Big Ten
1
2
F
Northwestern
42
39
81
DePaul
44
35
79
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: Michael Glasgow
Photo by: Michael Glasgow
Photo by: Michael Glasgow
Photo by: Michael Glasgow
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Blue Demons Edged in Friday Night Thriller
11/15/2025 12:02:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
Freshman Kruz McClure has team-high 15 points
CHICAGO – DePaul men's basketball was edged, 81-79, Friday night in a thrilling back-and-forth contest at Wintrust Arena against Chicagoland foe, Northwestern. The Blue Demons had a trio of players reach double-digit scoring, led by a career-night from freshman Kruz McClure with 15. McClure's scoring marked the most by a true freshman at DePaul since 2020.
Layden Blocker and CJ Gunn followed with 14 and 13 points, respectively, while it was a balanced offensive attack with five players contributing five or more points. Included in that was six points from Fabián Flores, who saw his first collegiate points, in addition to an impressive eight rebounds Friday night.
HOW IT HAPPENED
DePaul (2-2) opened the game with energy, grabbing six offensive rebounds in the first 10 minutes. Neither team led by more than three until Northwestern (4-0) put together a six-point burst to go up 25-19. The Blue Demons responded with two free throws from RJ Smith and a layup by Layden Blocker to pull within two, 25-23. DePaul closed the half on a 9-0 run to take a 44-42 advantage into the break.
The second half remained a back-and-forth battle, with neither side stretching the margin beyond five. DePaul took a late 76-73 lead on a tip-in by Flores, but Northwestern answered with back-to-back layups from Tre Singleton. McClure converted a driving layup and the ensuing free throw with 1:16 remaining to tie the game at 79. Northwestern's Nick Martinelli ultimately sealed the result at the free-throw line, sinking the game-winning free throw with three seconds remaining to deny DePaul the win.
OF NOTE
UP NEXT
DePaul looks to have a quick bounce back as they host Gardner-Webb at Wintrust Arena, Tuesday, Nov. 18. The game is set for a 7 p.m. tip.
Layden Blocker and CJ Gunn followed with 14 and 13 points, respectively, while it was a balanced offensive attack with five players contributing five or more points. Included in that was six points from Fabián Flores, who saw his first collegiate points, in addition to an impressive eight rebounds Friday night.
HOW IT HAPPENED
DePaul (2-2) opened the game with energy, grabbing six offensive rebounds in the first 10 minutes. Neither team led by more than three until Northwestern (4-0) put together a six-point burst to go up 25-19. The Blue Demons responded with two free throws from RJ Smith and a layup by Layden Blocker to pull within two, 25-23. DePaul closed the half on a 9-0 run to take a 44-42 advantage into the break.
The second half remained a back-and-forth battle, with neither side stretching the margin beyond five. DePaul took a late 76-73 lead on a tip-in by Flores, but Northwestern answered with back-to-back layups from Tre Singleton. McClure converted a driving layup and the ensuing free throw with 1:16 remaining to tie the game at 79. Northwestern's Nick Martinelli ultimately sealed the result at the free-throw line, sinking the game-winning free throw with three seconds remaining to deny DePaul the win.
OF NOTE
- Friday marked the first game in the series between DePaul-Northwestern to be decided by one possession since Dec. 16, 2017.
- DePaul has had a different leading scorer in all four games this season.
- The Blue Demons 79 points are the most Northwestern has allowed to a non-conference opponent since Nov. 28, 2022.
- McClure went 8-of-10 at the free throw line for the most made free throws by a true freshman at DePaul since Billy Garrett on Feb. 25, 2014.
UP NEXT
DePaul looks to have a quick bounce back as they host Gardner-Webb at Wintrust Arena, Tuesday, Nov. 18. The game is set for a 7 p.m. tip.
Team Stats
NU
DePaul
FG%
.580
.424
3FG%
.438
.333
FT%
.667
.815
RB
25
34
TO
11
13
STL
6
3
Game Leaders
Pts
15
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
8
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
9
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
G
/ MEN'S BASKETBALLG
/ MEN'S BASKETBALL
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