DePaul University Athletics
Wednesday, December 31
Villanova, PA
5 p.m.
DePaul University
8-6,0-3Big East
66
at
71
Villanova
11-2,2-0Big East
1
2
F
DePaul
32
34
66
Villanova
28
43
71
DePaul Comes Up Short On the Road at Villanova
12/31/2025 8:12:00 PM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
Four Blue Demons finish in double-figures
VILLANOVA, PA – DePaul came up short on the road to Villanova, Wednesday evening, in a 71-66 defeat. DePaul (8-6, 0-3 BIG EAST) held an advantage at halftime, but couldn't hold off Villanova's (11-2, 2-0 BIG EAST) top-ranked three-point shooters as the Wildcats came back in the second half to remain unbeaten at home.
CJ Gunn led DePaul's scoring efforts with 15 points and a season-high seven rebounds, while Layden Blocker added 13 points. RJ Smith contributed 11 points, including tying a personal best three made threes. Brandon Maclin had an all-around game with nine points, five assists and seven rebounds while NJ Benson rounded out the double-digit scoring effort with 10 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Villanova jumped out to an early 8-2 lead on a three-pointer from Bryce Linday, but DePaul quickly responded on baskets from Benson. The Blue Demons' defense fueled a 9-0 run, holding Villanova to 1-of-8 shooting for a 19-14 advantage. DePaul's run extended to 22-26, pushing the lead to nine following a pair of free throws from CJ Gunn. Villanova trimmed the deficit to four by halftime, forcing three late Blue Demons turnovers.
DePaul opened the second half strong, building a 42-34 lead behind three consecutive field goals from Blocker, Maclin and Benson. After a Villanova offensive rebound cut the margin to five, Maclin made his own shot before a made three-pointer by Smith, giving the Blue Demons their largest lead of the game at 50-40. With 10 minutes to play, Villanova responded out of their timeout with a 13-2 run, highlighted by 7-of-10 shooting from three in the second half. Villanova made the most of its 31 free throw attempts throughout the game to pull away down the stretch, despite two late baskets from Blocker.
OF NOTE
UP NEXT
DePaul kicks off the New Year with a pair of home games, beginning Saturday, Jan. 3 against Xavier. The matchup tips off at 1 p.m. on FS1.
CJ Gunn led DePaul's scoring efforts with 15 points and a season-high seven rebounds, while Layden Blocker added 13 points. RJ Smith contributed 11 points, including tying a personal best three made threes. Brandon Maclin had an all-around game with nine points, five assists and seven rebounds while NJ Benson rounded out the double-digit scoring effort with 10 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Villanova jumped out to an early 8-2 lead on a three-pointer from Bryce Linday, but DePaul quickly responded on baskets from Benson. The Blue Demons' defense fueled a 9-0 run, holding Villanova to 1-of-8 shooting for a 19-14 advantage. DePaul's run extended to 22-26, pushing the lead to nine following a pair of free throws from CJ Gunn. Villanova trimmed the deficit to four by halftime, forcing three late Blue Demons turnovers.
DePaul opened the second half strong, building a 42-34 lead behind three consecutive field goals from Blocker, Maclin and Benson. After a Villanova offensive rebound cut the margin to five, Maclin made his own shot before a made three-pointer by Smith, giving the Blue Demons their largest lead of the game at 50-40. With 10 minutes to play, Villanova responded out of their timeout with a 13-2 run, highlighted by 7-of-10 shooting from three in the second half. Villanova made the most of its 31 free throw attempts throughout the game to pull away down the stretch, despite two late baskets from Blocker.
OF NOTE
- Flores tied a personal-best eight rebounds as DePaul tied a season-high with 43 team rebounds.
- DePaul also tied a season-high with seven blocks, two of which came from Kaleb Banks.
- Gunn recorded his 10th double-digit scoring game of the season.
UP NEXT
DePaul kicks off the New Year with a pair of home games, beginning Saturday, Jan. 3 against Xavier. The matchup tips off at 1 p.m. on FS1.
Team Stats
DePaul
VU
FG%
.450
.345
3FG%
.263
.435
FT%
.583
.677
RB
43
39
TO
14
8
STL
2
9
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
F
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