Jan 17, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; DePaul Blue Demons forward NJ Benson (35) backs down Georgetown Hoyas forward Drew Fielder (20) during the second half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images So long, skid.
Hello, streak?
After ending a prolific slump in Big East play on Friday, DePaul will aim to win consecutive league games for the first time in three seasons when it hosts Creighton on Tuesday night in Chicago.
To do so, the Blue Demons (10-9, 1-7 Big East) will have to replicate the depth and teamwork that guided them past host Georgetown 73-68, stopping their conference regular-season losing streak at 39 games.
CJ Gunn paced DePaul with 17 points while Layden Blocker (14) and NJ Benson (12) had big games off the bench. The Blue Demons boasted a 28-4 advantage in bench scoring against the Hoyas.
Gunn has scored in double figures in four straight games, including separate 21-point efforts against Seton Hall and Marquette in which DePaul lost in overtime.
“At the end of the day, we’re growing. We’re a work in progress,” first-year Blue Demons coach Chris Holtmann said. “This new group is learning how to win at this level.”
Creighton (12-6, 5-2) continues to surge after getting routed in its conference opener at Georgetown on Dec. 18. The Bluejays have won three in a row and five of six.
Jamiya Neal starred during Saturday’s 68-63 win at No. 14 UConn, contributing a career-best 24 points on 10-for-16 shooting as Creighton ended the Huskies’ 28-game home winning streak.
“He’s really bought into how we play, and not just on the offensive end. Defensively, he’s done some great things for us,” Bluejays coach Greg McDermott said. “I’m really proud of him. His trajectory for a one-year guy, a guy in his first year after a transfer, it’s been incredible.
“Jamiya’s growing by leaps and bounds, and it’s a blessing.”
Leading scorer and rebounder Ryan Kalkbrenner has posted double-doubles in three of four games after a 16-point, 10-rebound effort at UConn.
Creighton has won 20 straight meetings with DePaul and leads the all-time series 30-16.
DePaul’s most recent Big East winning streak came from Feb. 24 to March 2, 2022, when it defeated Georgetown, St. John’s and Marquette.
–Field Level Media
