ROSEMONT, Ill. (Interstat) — N.J. Benson scored 23 points to lead DePaul to a 72-71 men’s basketball victory over Creighton on Wednesday night at Allstate Arena.

The Blue Demons (13-12) edged the Bluejays (13-12) in a tight Big East contest. DePaul scored 46 points in the paint, overcoming Creighton’s sharp 14-for-27 shooting from 3-point range. Brandon Maclin added 17 points for DePaul.

Creighton’s Austin Swartz scored 15 points, and Jasen Green added 13. The Bluejays led 42-40 at halftime but were outscored 32-29 in the second half. DePaul’s win defied national statistical projections that heavily favored Creighton. Attendance was 3,763.