Balanced Offense Gives DePaul First Win of 2026

Saturday, January 3

1 p.m.

DePaul University

9-6,1-3Big East

Xavier

9-6,1-3Big East

Xavier

DePaul

CJ Gunn slams the ball home off a back cut.

Photo by: DePaul Athletics

RJ Smith sprays an attempt from long range in the second half.

Photo by: DePaul Athletics

Brandon Maclin drives into the teeth of the Xavier defense.

Photo by: DePaul Athletics

Layden Blocker shoots a three from the wing.

Photo by: DePaul Athletics

Forward NJ Benson takes an attempt from the charity stripe.

Photo by: DePaul Athletics

Forward Kaleb Banks takes the ball down the court.

Photo by: DePaul Athletics

Kaleb Banks and Fabián Flores raise up to block the Xavier attempt.

Photo by: DePaul Athletics

Senior CJ Gunn fades away for the three.

Photo by: DePaul Athletics

Senior Brandon Maclin takes aim for the triple.

Photo by: DePaul Athletics

Guard RJ Smith facilitates the offense in the half court.

Photo by: DePaul Athletics

Junior Layden Blocker takes a contested midrange shot.

Photo by: DePaul Athletics

Photo by: DePaul Athletics

NJ Benson and Brandon Maclin gameplan for the coming possessions.

Photo by: DePaul Athletics

Forward CJ Gunn himself readies for the three pointer.

Photo by: DePaul Athletics

Guard Layden Blocker spearheads the defensive possession for DePaul.

Photo by: DePaul Athletics

Balanced Offense Gives DePaul First Win of 2026

1/3/2026 4:32:00 PM | MEN'S BASKETBALL

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Six Blue Demons score in double-digits

CHICAGO – Led by a balanced attack with six double-digit scorers, DePaul men's basketball opened up 2026 with 86-77 win over Xavier, Saturday afternoon at Wintrust Arena. The win gave DePaul its first BIG EAST victory of the year. It marked the first time DePaul had six players with 10 or more points against a BIG EAST opponent since Jan. 3, 2008.

CJ Gunn had a game-high 22 points on 8-of-16 shooting, in addition to six rebounds. Blocker added 18 points off a trio the three-point shots, followed by 13 from Brandon Maclin and 11 from Kaleb Banks. RJ Smith and NJ Benson both added 10 points, while Banks and Benson led the team with seven boards each.

HOW IT HAPPENED
DePaul (9-6, 1-3 BIG EAST) jumped out to a quick 7-2 lead to open the game, holding a 14-7 advantage following a three pointer from Banks. Xavier responded with a 7-0 run to even the score, and the teams traded baskets for the remainder of the first half. DePaul carried a three-point lead into halftime thanks to a jumper from Gunn.

The Blue Demons continued to build momentum in the second half, opening with a 7-0 run to take a 57-49 lead. Xavier's (9-6, 1-3 BIG EAST) perimeter shooting heated up behind triples from Filip Borovicanin and Roddie Anderson III. A three by Tre Carroll tied the game with seven minutes remaining, but Maclin converted on a three-point play – giving DePaul the lead for good at 66-63.

With a three-point advantage and three minutes to play, Smith knocked down his second triple of the game. DePaul sealed the win at the free throw line, converting six foul shots to close out on a 10-5 run in the final stretch.

OF NOTE

DePaul remains perfect on the season (6-0) when shooting 50 percent or higher from the floor and is 8-1 when scoring 75 or more points.
Gunn had his sixth career game scoring 20 or more points.
DePaul's 86 points are the most against a BIG EAST opponent in regulation since March 2, 2022.
RJ Smith tied a personal-best in conference play with five assists.

UP NEXT
DePaul turns around to host Georgetown on Tuesday, Jan. 6 in a 7 p.m. tip. The game is slated to air on truTV.