NJ Benson scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as host DePaul rolled to a 92-62 season-opening victory over Chicago State on Monday night in Chicago.

Layden Blocker also scored 16 and CJ Gunn added 12 points. Both joined Benson as the three key returners for the Blue Demons, who made half of their 60 field-goal attempts and recorded 21 assists. Theo Pierre-Justin scored 12 for DePaul, which led 46-21 at halftime and never trailed any point on the night.

After going 14-20 -- one more victory than the previous two campaigns combined -- and winning a Big East tournament game during Chris Holtmann's first season as coach in 2024-25, DePaul is poised to be even better this go-around.

The team got off to a strong start on that quest Monday.

The Blue Demons set the pace early with Gunn sc

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