DePaul University Athletics
Sunday, December 21
3:30 p.m.
DePaul University
8-5,0-2Big East
54
vs
72
UConn
12-1,2-0Big East
1
2
F
UConn
33
39
72
DePaul
30
24
54
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: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Second-Half Pushes #5 UConn Past DePaul
12/21/2025 7:04:00 PM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO – After a highly contested first half, DePaul men's basketball couldn't overcome a second-half surge by top-five ranked UConn in Sunday's 72-54 loss at Wintrust Arena. It marked the second-straight game for DePaul against a top-25 opponent to open BIG EAST play.
The Blue Demons were led in scoring by Layden Blocker with 11 points and three assists, marking his eighth double-digit scoring game of the year. Kruz McClure had a solid performance with 10 points in his second career BIG EAST game. NJ Benson had a team-high eight rebounds to go with seven points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
DePaul (8-5, 0-2 BIG EAST) came out strong, opening the game on a 15-7 lead that included six baskets off Huskies turnovers. UConn (12-1, 2-0 BIG EAST) quickly responded with seven unanswered points for a one-point lead. remainder rest of the first half featured a back-and-forth battle with three ties and three lead changes before the Huskies strung together a pair of baskets by Alex Karaban. Blocker knocked down a jumper as the clock experienced, cutting the deficit to three points, 33-30, at the break.
The Blue Demons struggled to slow UConn in the second half as foul trouble began to plague DePaul. Following an alley-oop connection from Blocker to NJ Benson, UConn used a 12-2 run to build a 52-36 advantage. DePaul continued to fight behind a scoring stretch from Brandon Maclin, CJ Gunn and McClure. A driving layup from Blocker trimmed the deficit to 10 with just under four minutes remaining, but the Blue Demons were unable to get closer as Braylon Mullins connected on a pair of three-pointers to hold off DePaul.
OF NOTE
UP NEXT
DePaul has a holiday break before returning to action Dec. 31 at Villanova. The New Year's Eve contest is set for a 5 p.m. CT tip on FS1.
The Blue Demons were led in scoring by Layden Blocker with 11 points and three assists, marking his eighth double-digit scoring game of the year. Kruz McClure had a solid performance with 10 points in his second career BIG EAST game. NJ Benson had a team-high eight rebounds to go with seven points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
DePaul (8-5, 0-2 BIG EAST) came out strong, opening the game on a 15-7 lead that included six baskets off Huskies turnovers. UConn (12-1, 2-0 BIG EAST) quickly responded with seven unanswered points for a one-point lead. remainder rest of the first half featured a back-and-forth battle with three ties and three lead changes before the Huskies strung together a pair of baskets by Alex Karaban. Blocker knocked down a jumper as the clock experienced, cutting the deficit to three points, 33-30, at the break.
The Blue Demons struggled to slow UConn in the second half as foul trouble began to plague DePaul. Following an alley-oop connection from Blocker to NJ Benson, UConn used a 12-2 run to build a 52-36 advantage. DePaul continued to fight behind a scoring stretch from Brandon Maclin, CJ Gunn and McClure. A driving layup from Blocker trimmed the deficit to 10 with just under four minutes remaining, but the Blue Demons were unable to get closer as Braylon Mullins connected on a pair of three-pointers to hold off DePaul.
OF NOTE
- McClure's 10 points were the most for a DePaul freshman against a top-five opponent since Romeo Weems Jan. 18, 2020.
- Maclin had four steals, one shy of his personal best.
- DePaul gave up a season-low six points off turnovers.
UP NEXT
DePaul has a holiday break before returning to action Dec. 31 at Villanova. The New Year's Eve contest is set for a 5 p.m. CT tip on FS1.
Team Stats
UConn
DePaul
FG%
.474
.364
3FG%
.333
.231
FT%
.750
.524
RB
40
28
TO
15
13
STL
6
7
Game Leaders
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
5
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
/ MEN'S BASKETBALL
G
/ MEN'S BASKETBALLG
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