New York—-NJ Benson played a key role in DePaul’s 71-67 victory over Georgetown in the Big East Tournament on Wednesday night, contributing 18 points off the bench.
DePaul (14-18) will now face second-seeded Creighton in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
Benson was highly efficient, making 7 of 8 field goals and 4 of 6 free throws. Layden Blocker added 16 points, including four 3-pointers from six attempts, and also tallied six assists. CJ Gunn chipped in 11 points, shooting 3 of 8 from the field and 2 of 6 from beyond the arc, while also going 3 for 4 from the free-throw line.
For Georgetown (17-15), Micah Peavy led the way with a stellar performance, scoring 26 points, grabbing seven rebounds, and collecting two steals. Drew Fielder recorded a double-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists, while Curtis Williams also finished with 11 points.
DePaul trailed 40-38 at halftime, with Gunn scoring 10 of the team’s points in the first half. However, the Blue Demons started the second half strong, going on a 7-0 run to take a 55-51 lead. Benson’s 13 second-half points helped DePaul secure the win.
Looking Ahead:
DePaul will take on Creighton in the quarterfinals at 7 p.m. EDT on Thursday in New York. The Blue Demons enter the game with a 14-18 record, while Creighton boasts a 22-9 record and finished second in the Big East with a 15-5 conference record.
Key Highlights:
- Benson’s 18 points off the bench were crucial in securing the win.
- Blocker’s impressive shooting, including four 3-pointers, and his six assists helped guide DePaul to victory.
- Georgetown was led by Peavy, who nearly carried the Hoyas to victory with his all-around performance.
DePaul’s resilience was evident in their comeback, and they will look to carry that momentum into their next challenge against Creighton Thursday night at 7 P.M.
