OMAHA, NE – Brandon Maclin’s 21 points and a late layup from NJ Benson lifted DePaul to a 72-71 victory over Creighton on Wednesday night. The Blue Demons, improving to , secured a crucial win against a Big East opponent in a tightly contested affair.
The game, played at the CHI Health Center Omaha, saw several lead changes and a dramatic finish. Benson’s go-ahead layup with 32 seconds remaining proved to be the decisive play, capping off a strong performance for the forward who also contributed significantly on the boards. DePaul finished the game shooting 50% from the field (28-of-56) and 40% from three-point range (10-of-25).
Creighton, led by Josh Dix with 15 points, fought hard to stay in the game, shooting 45% from the field (25-of-56). However, they struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on only 10 of their 25 three-point attempts. The Bluejays were also hampered by 12 turnovers, compared to DePaul’s 13.
The first half saw both teams trading baskets, with Creighton taking a narrow 38-30 lead into the break. DePaul responded strongly in the second half, outscoring Creighton 42-33. Layden Blocker and CJ Gunn contributed key points for the Blue Demons, helping to close the gap and ultimately secure the victory.
According to ESPN Analytics, DePaul led for 87% of the game, with a largest lead of 11 points. The teams were tied four times throughout the contest, highlighting the back-and-forth nature of the game. DePaul controlled the paint, outscoring Creighton 32-26 in points in the paint and also managed to generate 10 second-chance points.
Brandon Maclin’s performance was particularly noteworthy, as he efficiently scored his 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field and 2-of-3 from the free-throw line. NJ Benson added 9 rebounds, 8 defensive and 1 offensive, to his game-winning layup. For Creighton, Jasen Green grabbed 9 rebounds, 5 defensive and 4 offensive.
This win is significant for DePaul, bringing their record to 15-13 overall and 7-10 in the Big East Conference. It provides a much-needed boost as they head into the final stretch of the regular season. Creighton, now 14-15 with an 8-10 conference record, will look to rebound from this loss in their upcoming games.
DePaul’s victory over Creighton marks a turning point for the program, demonstrating their ability to compete with top teams in the Big East. The team’s improved shooting percentage and strong rebounding performance were key factors in their success. The Blue Demons’ ability to overcome a first-half deficit and maintain composure in the closing minutes showcased their resilience and determination.
The game also highlighted the importance of bench contributions, with players like Layden Blocker and CJ Gunn stepping up to provide crucial points and energy. DePaul’s balanced scoring attack and solid defensive effort proved to be too much for Creighton to handle.
Looking ahead, DePaul will aim to build on this momentum as they continue their pursuit of a higher seed in the Big East Tournament. Their upcoming games will be crucial in determining their postseason fate. Creighton, will need to regroup and refocus as they strive to improve their conference standing.
The win over Creighton also represents a positive trend for DePaul, who previously defeated Detroit Mercy 95-75 on , and Stonehill 72-64 on . However, they suffered a loss to UConn 72-60 on , demonstrating the competitive nature of the Big East Conference.
The game flow, as tracked by ESPN Analytics, showed a tight contest throughout, with both teams exchanging leads. The final minutes were particularly intense, with both teams trading baskets and defensive stops. Benson’s layup ultimately proved to be the game-winner, securing a hard-fought victory for DePaul.
