NJ Benson’s red-hot run gives DePaul chance for Creighton sweep
Senior center NJ Benson aims to continue his strong stretch of play when DePaul bids for a season sweep of Creighton on Wednesday in Omaha, Neb.
Benson began a sizzling three-game run by making 10 of 11 shots from the floor during a 23-point performance -- the second-highest of his career -- in the Blue Demons' 72-71 victory over the Bluejays on Feb. 11.
Benson followed that up by making 15 of 18 shots for 40 points over his last two games for DePaul (14-13, 6-10 Big East). If Benson (11.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg) had a few more field goal attempts on his resume, then his 64.0% shooting accuracy would rank second in the Big East and 13th nationally.
He recorded his second double-double in his last three games by collecting 19 points and 10 rebounds in the Blue Demons' 71-68 setback to Providence on Saturday.
A dismal 12-for-24 performance from the free-throw line and being outrebounded by a 41-31 margin ultimately did in DePaul.
"We're sixth right now in the league, and it's an 11-team league," said Blue Demons head coach Chris Holtmann, per Haystack.tv. "There's little separation really between fifth and the very last-place team, and any of those are really in play for us right now.
"In order for that to happen, we have to continue to do a better job of rebounding at both ends. We have to make open shots, make free throws and we have to keep our defense really consistent."
Brandon Maclin, who recorded 14 points and seven rebounds against Providence, made the game-winning layup with seven seconds remaining in the previous encounter with Creighton (14-14, 8-9) to snap DePaul's 23-game losing streak against the Bluejays.
Creighton guard Blake Harper told reporters that his team is ready for the rematch.
"Focus on the game plan and focus for all 40 minutes," Harper said. "Certain times at DePaul, we let the ball roll. And now, we don't have any more room for error."
The lack of wiggle room for Creighton comes as a result of falling for the sixth time in eight games with an 81-52 drubbing by St. John's on Saturday. The 29-point setback served as the Bluejays' largest loss since Jan. 5, 2022, and came on the heels of their upset victory last Wednesday over then-No. 5 UConn.
Austin Swartz, who was held without a point versus St. John's, led Creighton with 15 points in the previous meeting with DePaul.
Josh Dix leads Creighton's four double-figure scorers with 12.1 points per game.