Career Night for Benson Leads DePaul to Saturday Night Victory

Saturday, December 6

Chicago, Ill.

8 p.m.

DePaul University

6-3,0-0Big East

Arkansas Pine Bluff

1-9,0-0SWAC

Ark.-Pine Bluff

DePaul

Career Night for Benson Leads DePaul to Saturday Night Victory

12/6/2025 11:29:00 PM | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Box Score Final Box (PDF)Postgame Notes (PDF)Highlights Postgame Press Conference

Benson scores 26 points on 11-of-15 shooting

CHICAGO — A career-high 26 points from NJ Benson helped lead DePaul men's basketball to a Saturday night win over Arkansas Pine Bluff, 76-72. Benson converted 11 of 15 made field goals while also adding nine rebounds and two assists for the personal best performance.

Freshman Kruz McClure had his second-straight game with over 15 points, recording 17 against the Lions. The Blue Demons double-digit scoring effort was rounded out by 12 points apiece from Layden Blocker and CJ Gunn. Blocker also contributed five assists.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Benson controlled the game from the outset, scoring all 12 of DePaul's (6-3) opening points. Arkansas Pine Bluff answered with a strong-start, knocking down four-straight field goals to build an early 20-15 lead. The Blue Demons closed the half with strong energy, but the Lions maintained an advantage at halftime.

The second half featured five lead changes as DePaul surged offensively, including a stretch of six unanswered points. Benson pushed the Blue Demons ahead 58-50 at the 10-minute mark with a dunk that capped his dominant night. McClure provided a major boost with all 17 of his points coming in the final period, including a 7-of-8 effort at the free throw line. A McClure layup, followed by a Blocker free throw at the four-minute mark proved to be the final push for DePaul to secure the victory.

OF NOTE:

Smith made his first start of the season as the Blue Demons used its fourth different starting lineup.
Blocker had his fifth game with 10 or more points in his last six outings.
The Blue Demons shot 41 free throws, its most in a non-conference game since 2014.

UP NEXT
DePaul makes a quick turnaround to Tuesday as the Blue Demons host Morgan State in a 7 p.m. contest on ESPN+.