Late Push Not Enough on the Road for DePaul

Tuesday, January 20

Indianapolis, IN

6:30 p.m.

DePaul University

11-8,3-5Big East

Butler

12-7,3-5Big East

DePaul

Butler

1/20/2026 9:43:00 PM | MEN'S BASKETBALL

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

Layden Blocker scores season-high 20 points

INDIANAPOLIS – A late surge down the stretch for DePaul men's basketball wasn't enough Tuesday evening as the Blue Demons fell, 87-80, on the road at Butler. DePaul (11-8, 3-5 BIG EAST) was led by a season-high 20 points from Layden Blocker.

CJ Gunn added 16 points and a season-high four steals, while Théo Pierre-Justin turned in a career-night with 12 points on four three-pointers. NJ Benson chipped in 11 points and a team-high six rebounds.

HOW IT HAPPENED
DePaul jumped out to an early 11-2 lead behind a trio of three-pointers. Butler (12-7, 3-5 BIG EAST) began chipping away at the deficit, eventually tying the game at 21 apiece. A trip to the free throw line for Benson, followed by a Brandon Maclin three-pointer, kept DePaul in front.

The Bulldogs took their first lead of the contest with six minutes remaining in the half on a layup by Jamie Kaiser Jr. DePaul responded with a 7-0 run and carried a four-point advantage into the break.

Despite five lead changes in the opening half, Butler took control to open the second, shooting 7-of-10 from the floor to build a 53-46 lead. The Bulldogs' efficient shooting continued, while DePaul stayed within striking distance behind an active defensive effort that produced eight steals.

Facing a double-digit deficit late, Maclin sparked a final push as the Blue Demons closed the gap to seven with under a minute to play. Maclin scored four-straight points, while DePaul converted three of its final four field goal attempts. Butler held on down the stretch behind strong free-throw shooting to secure the win.

OF NOTE

DePaul's eight steals as a team tie its most against a BIG EAST opponent in 2025-26.
Blocker and Gunn both recorded their third-straight games with 10 or more points, while Maclin extended his stretch of double-digit scoring games to a career-best five.
DePaul tied a season-high seven first half made threes, while falling to 3-1 on the season when recording 10 or more three-pointers.

UP NEXT
DePaul returns home Saturday, Jan. 24, to host Seton Hall. Saturday's game marks DePaul's annual Blue Demon Day celebration and serves as a stop on the BIG EAST Road Trip. Tipoff against the Pirates is set for 4 p.m. CT on truTV.