DePaul University Athletics
Monday, November 3
Chicago, Ill.
7 p.m.
DePaul University
1-0,0-0Big East
92
vs
62
Chicago State
0-1,0-0NEC
1
2
F
Chicago St.
21
41
62
DePaul
46
46
92
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: Michael Glasgow
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: Michael Glasgow
Photo by: Michael Glasgow
Photo by: Michael Glasgow
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: Michael Glasgow
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
DePaul Picks Up Season-Opening Win Over Chicago State
11/3/2025 10:40:00 PM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO — DePaul men's basketball secured a season opening win Monday night at Wintrust Arena, 92-62, over Chicago State behind a standout offensive performance. The Blue Demons shot 50 percent as a team with all 12 players who checked in recording points.
NJ Benson and Layden Blocker led DePaul, each with 16 points, while Benson notched a double-double on a game-high 10 rebounds in addition of 7-of-8 field goal shooting. CJ Gunn and Théo Pierre-Justin rounded out the double-digit scorers with 12 each. Pierre-Justin had a career night on 5-of-7 with five rebounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED
DePaul (1-0) took control early with a pair of baskets from CJ Gunn, jumping out to a 5-0 lead. The Blue Demons defense forced Chicago State (0-1) to struggle with turnovers, as the Cougars committed 12 in the first half, allowing DePaul to capitalize and build a significant margin. Pierre-Justin provided a huge boast to close out the first half with back-to-back three-pointers, helping DePaul end the first half on an 8-0 run for a 25-point halftime lead.
The Blue Demons remained in control throughout the second half, as Blocker and Benson connected on a pair of alley-oops early. The Cougars' Marcus Tankersley and Stephen Byard tried help Chicago State claw back, but DePaul's bench came up big, including a three-pointer by Ilija Milijašević at 6:48.
OF NOTE:
- Milijašević, Khaman Maker, Kruz McClure and Nate Kasher all recorded their first collegiate points.
- DePaul totaled 12 steals, the most in a season opener since Nov. 9, 2012 against UC Riverside.
- The 30-point victory was the largest margin of victory for DePaul in a season opener since Nov. 9, 2013.
- DePaul moves to 18-0 all-time against the Cougars.
- Theo Pierre-Justin registered his first career double-digit scoring game with a career high 12 points and five rebounds.
- Benson finished with his 14th career double-double.
- Maclin nabbed a career-high five steals, marking the most for a Blue Demon in a season opener since Cleveland Melvin in 2012.
UP NEXT
DePaul returns to action Friday, Nov. 7 at Wintrust Arena against Stonehill. The game is set for a 7 p.m. tip on ESPN+.
NJ Benson and Layden Blocker led DePaul, each with 16 points, while Benson notched a double-double on a game-high 10 rebounds in addition of 7-of-8 field goal shooting. CJ Gunn and Théo Pierre-Justin rounded out the double-digit scorers with 12 each. Pierre-Justin had a career night on 5-of-7 with five rebounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED
DePaul (1-0) took control early with a pair of baskets from CJ Gunn, jumping out to a 5-0 lead. The Blue Demons defense forced Chicago State (0-1) to struggle with turnovers, as the Cougars committed 12 in the first half, allowing DePaul to capitalize and build a significant margin. Pierre-Justin provided a huge boast to close out the first half with back-to-back three-pointers, helping DePaul end the first half on an 8-0 run for a 25-point halftime lead.
The Blue Demons remained in control throughout the second half, as Blocker and Benson connected on a pair of alley-oops early. The Cougars' Marcus Tankersley and Stephen Byard tried help Chicago State claw back, but DePaul's bench came up big, including a three-pointer by Ilija Milijašević at 6:48.
OF NOTE:
- Milijašević, Khaman Maker, Kruz McClure and Nate Kasher all recorded their first collegiate points.
- DePaul totaled 12 steals, the most in a season opener since Nov. 9, 2012 against UC Riverside.
- The 30-point victory was the largest margin of victory for DePaul in a season opener since Nov. 9, 2013.
- DePaul moves to 18-0 all-time against the Cougars.
- Theo Pierre-Justin registered his first career double-digit scoring game with a career high 12 points and five rebounds.
- Benson finished with his 14th career double-double.
- Maclin nabbed a career-high five steals, marking the most for a Blue Demon in a season opener since Cleveland Melvin in 2012.
UP NEXT
DePaul returns to action Friday, Nov. 7 at Wintrust Arena against Stonehill. The game is set for a 7 p.m. tip on ESPN+.
Team Stats
CSU
DePaul
FG%
.375
.500
3FG%
.250
.320
FT%
.696
.686
RB
34
43
TO
16
13
STL
8
12
Game Leaders
Pts
16
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
5
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
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