Blue Demons Fall at the Buzzer Against Xavier

Saturday, January 31

Cincinnati, OH

12 p.m.

DePaul University

12-10,4-7Big East

Xavier

12-10,4-7Big East

DePaul

Xavier

layden blocker dribbles the ball up the court

Blue Demons Fall at the Buzzer Against Xavier

1/31/2026 3:00:00 PM | MEN'S BASKETBALL

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

CINCINNATI – A three-pointer from CJ Gunn tied the game late Saturday, but Xavier answered with a buzzer-beater to edge DePaul, 68-66, at Cintas Center.

Gunn finished with 19 points, knocking down five three-pointers, including the game-tying triple with six seconds remaining.

NJ Benson anchored the paint with 14 points and eight rebounds on 7-of-11 shooting, while Layden Blocker added 11. RJ Smith dished a career-high eight assists.

HOW IT HAPPENED
After a back-and-forth first half, DePaul carried a five-point lead into the locker room and opened the second half with a 13-2 run, highlighted by back-to-back steals from Blocker and Benson to stretch the margin to 57-39.

Xavier chipped away at the deficit with pressure defense and free throws, stringing together a 15-point run to pull even late. Gunn's triple tied the game at 66 with six seconds left, but Filip Borovicanin connected on a jumper at the horn for the final margin.

OF NOTE

DePaul shot 55.2 percent in the first half from the floor, it's best mark against a BIG EAST opponent this season.
Brandon Maclin recorded three assists, his 10^th game this season with three or more.
Blocker tallied his 25th career game with multiple steals.

UP NEXT
DePaul returns home for a midweek contest against #25 St. John's, Tuesday, Feb. 3. The game tips from Wintrust Arena at 7 p.m. on Peacock. The Blue Demons will retire Rod Strickland's jersey at halftime, while fans are encouraged to arrive early for a pregame performance of Red Panda.