How long, skid.
Hello, streak?
After snapping a big upset in Big East play on Friday, DePaul will look to win back-to-back 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 consistency that guided them past host Georgetown 73-68, ending their conference regular-season losing streak at 39 games.
CJ Gunn paced DePaul with 17 points and Layden Blocker (14) and NJ Benson (12) had big games off the bench. The Blue Demons boasted a 28-4 run 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,” Blue Demons first-year coach Chris Holtmann said. “This new team is learning how to win at this level.”
Creighton (12-6, 5-2) continues its momentum after winning its conference opener at Georgetown on Dec. 18. The Bluejays have won three in a row and five of six.
Jamiya Neal starred in Saturday’s 68-63 win at No. 14 Conn., contributing a career-best 24 points on 10-of-16 shooting as Creighton ended the Huskies’ 28-game home winning streak.
“He’s really bought into the way we play, not just on the offensive end. Defensively, he’s done some big things for us,” Bluejays coach Greg McDermott said. “I’m proud of him. His life as a one-year-old boy, a boy in his first year after being transferred, was amazing.
“Jamiya is growing by leaps and bounds, and it is a blessing.”
Leading scorer and rebounder Ryan Kalkbrenner 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 last Big East win came on Feb. 24 to March 2, 2022, when he defeated Georgetown, St. John’s and Marquette.
–Field Level Media