PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Cleveland Melvin scored 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead DePaul to an 83-73 win over cold-shooting Providence on Saturday night.
Brandon Young and Jamee Crockett each had 15 points for DePaul (10-5, 1-1 Big East). The Blue Demons snapped a two-game losing streak and improved to 4-0 on the road, their best start away from home since winning the initial five to start the 1993-94 season.
The Blue Demons led by seven at halftime, opened it to double digits early in the second half and never had their lead fall below 11 points until the closing 2 1/2 minutes.
Providence's Bryce Cotton, the Big East's second-leading scorer at 21.5 points per game, had 20 points, 16 in the closing 3 1/2 minutes. He was 4 of 13 from the floor.
Kadeem Batts added 17 points and Vincent Council 16 points and six assists for the Friars (8-6, 0-2).