DePaul University Athletics
Friday, November 28
Destin, Fla.
6 p.m.
DePaul University
5-2,0-0Big East
75
vs
61
Georgia Tech
5-2,0-0ACC
1
2
F
DePaul
25
50
75
Georgia Tech
32
29
61
Big Second Half Lifts DePaul Past Georgia Tech
11/28/2025 10:00:00 PM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
Blue Demons advance to Saturday's Championship Round
NICEVILLE, FLA. – A dominant second half lifted DePaul men's basketball to a 75-61 victory over Georgia Tech (5-2) Friday evening in the opening round of the Emerald Coast Classic. The win advances the Blue Demons (5-2) to Saturday's championship game against the winner of Drake/LSU. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. CT on CBS Sports Network.
DePaul delivered a gritty performance, shooting 60 percent as a team through the second half. Layden Blocker led the way with 18 points, followed by 16 from Brandon Maclin. Five other Blue Demons scored at least seven points, while NJ Benson was just shy of his third double-double of the season with nine points and nine rebounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first was defined by runs, with both teams holding early five-point leads. Georgia Tech closed the period strong behind a 10-0 run, powered by its defensive pressure.
DePaul came out firing to open the second half, scoring eight straight points to erase the Yellow Jackets' lead. Trailing 40-37, Maclin and Kaleb Banks knocked down back-to-back threes to swing the momentum and give DePaul a 44-40 advantage. Georgia Tech stayed within striking distance, keeping the deficit under four until Maclin and Blocker sparked a defensive surge. The Blue Demons closed the game by hitting seven of their final eight shots and riding a 14-2 run to secure the win.
OF NOTE
DePaul delivered a gritty performance, shooting 60 percent as a team through the second half. Layden Blocker led the way with 18 points, followed by 16 from Brandon Maclin. Five other Blue Demons scored at least seven points, while NJ Benson was just shy of his third double-double of the season with nine points and nine rebounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first was defined by runs, with both teams holding early five-point leads. Georgia Tech closed the period strong behind a 10-0 run, powered by its defensive pressure.
DePaul came out firing to open the second half, scoring eight straight points to erase the Yellow Jackets' lead. Trailing 40-37, Maclin and Kaleb Banks knocked down back-to-back threes to swing the momentum and give DePaul a 44-40 advantage. Georgia Tech stayed within striking distance, keeping the deficit under four until Maclin and Blocker sparked a defensive surge. The Blue Demons closed the game by hitting seven of their final eight shots and riding a 14-2 run to secure the win.
OF NOTE
- The 61 points allowed by DePaul mark the fewest this season for an opponent, and the fewest ever allowed by the Blue Demons against Georgia Tech.
- Maclin's 16 points marked a career-high and his 15th career game with 10+ points.
- DePaul had a 50-point half for the second-straight game, the first occurrence since March 2022.
- Holtmann is 3-0 all-time at the Emerald Coast Classic with a chance to win his second-straight title at the event.
Team Stats
DePaul
GaTech
FG%
.482
.381
3FG%
.318
.111
FT%
.824
.786
RB
35
35
TO
10
11
STL
6
7
Game Leaders
Pts
18
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
7
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
F
/ MEN'S BASKETBALLG
/ MEN'S BASKETBALLG
/ MEN'S BASKETBALLMen's Basketball vs. Georgia Tech Game Highlights
Friday, November 28
Episode 30: Chris Holtmann
Tuesday, November 25
DePaul Men's Basketball vs. Detroit Mercy Highlights
Monday, November 24
DePaul Men's Basketball vs Detroit Mercy Postgame Press Conference
Monday, November 24