DePaul defeats Arizona State 78-61

TEMPE, Ariz. — Brandon Young scored 18 points and had nine assists in leading DePaul to its fifth consecutive win, a 78-61 decision Wednesday over Arizona State.

Carrick Felix had 12 points and six rebounds for the Sun Devils (8-2), which had won four straight and were 8-1 for only the fourth time in 38 years.

The Blue Demons (7-3) rebounded from a 1 of 9 start from the field and used a 17-4 spurt early in the second half to take a 22-point lead with 10:29 remaining.

Worrel Clahar added 14 points and a pair of steals for DePaul.

The Blue Demons’ leading scorer coming into the game, Cleveland Melvin, had 12 points, six under his average, but had 10 rebounds as DePaul had a 44-34 advantage in boards.

DePaul’s full-court press helped force 13 Arizona State turnovers that were converted in 15 Blue Demon points.

The Sun Devils only made 23 of 55 from the field and 8 of 19 from the line while the Blue Demons rebounded to shoot 34 of 68 from the field.

The Blue Demons held the Sun Devils’ leading scorer, Jahii Carson, to 12 points on 5 of 15 shooting, and four assists. Carson came into the game averaging 18.6 points a game.

The Sun Devils couldn’t take advantage of DePaul’s cold start, building a 9-2 lead early, but the Blue Demons ran off a 12-4 run to take the lead for good.

The Blue Demons bounced back from missing eight of their first nine shots to take a 42-33 lead at the break.

Clahar hit a 3-pointer and then got a steal on the subsequent full-court press, making a layup to give DePaul a 40-26 lead with 2:41 left in the first half. Clahar led the Blue Demons with 10 points. Felix and Carson each had eight points for Arizona State.

DePaul picked up six fouls in the first nine minutes and had 13 in the half, but the Sun Devils only made 6 of 13 free throws in the half.

Arizona State was 7-0 at home this season and had won nine straight at home, dating back to last year.