DePaul extends winning streak to 4-0 after 67-47 victory over Northwestern
Coach Chris Holtmann's squad outscored the Wildcats 16-5 in the second half, while Kruz McClure led all scorers with 18 points.
By Fatima Saleh ·
DePaul basketball entered the second half of its matchup against Northwestern on Friday night with a clear advantage and extended that lead to secure a 67-47 victory at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston.
The Blue Demons are now 4-0 on the season. This marks a strong start for the program under head coach Chris Holtmann, who joined DePaul in 2024. Holtmann guided the team to 14 wins in his first year and a .500 record in his second. This win over the Wildcats is the third time DePaul has defeated Northwestern in the past decade, with the previous victory dating back to December 21, 2019.
DePaul controlled the pace of the game, outscoring Northwestern 16-5 to open the second half. The margin grew quickly, and a three-pointer from Kruz McClure put DePaul ahead 57-41 with five minutes remaining. The Blue Demons outpaced the Wildcats throughout, limiting their offensive opportunities.
McClure led all scorers with 18 points in the win. He utilized his length and shooting range to drive the offense. His performance highlights the depth of the guard rotation, which includes Koree Cotton and Layden Blocker. Holtmann has built the roster with an emphasis on perimeter play, and the team has responded to early season challenges with consistent results.
Northwestern enters this game with a 0-4 record and is still defining its offensive approach. The team lost several members of its talented 2025 freshman class, leaving point guard Jake West as the primary ball handler. West improved his play in this contest, narrowing the DePaul lead to 11 points at one point. However, the Wildcats have not yet established a cohesive identity under head coach Chris Collins.
Top recruit Jayden Hodge, considered the best recruit in program history, has not yet played a minute this season while recovering from a torn ACL. Transfer Jack Karasinki, a ball-dominant scorer at Bellarmine, is also on the roster. Collins is working to integrate these pieces as the team adjusts to the Big Ten level.
DePaul will face Purdue on November 24, followed by SMU on December 5 and Saint Louis on December 12. These upcoming opponents present a tougher test for the Blue Demons as they continue their season. The current roster shows promise, and the team is positioned to handle these challenges as the schedule progresses.
