Melvin scores 24, DePaul wins 7th straight by beating Maryland-Baltimore County 69-61

DePaul forward Cleveland Melvin, right, shoots over Maryland-Baltimore County guard Ryan Cook, left, as guard Aaron Morgan (0) looks on during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012, in Rosemont, Ill. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (The Associated Press)

Maryland-Baltimore County forward Chase Plummer (1) drives to the basket as DePaul forward Cleveland Melvin guards during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012, in Rosemont, Ill. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (The Associated Press)

Cleveland Melvin scored 24 points and DePaul defeated Maryland-Baltimore County 69-61 Saturday to extend its winning streak to seven games.

Melvin, a Baltimore native, reached double digits in scoring for the 26th consecutive game. He added eight rebounds.

The winning streak marks the longest for DePaul (9-3) since the Blue Demons won nine straight during the 1993-94 season.

For much of the second half, DePaul held a double-digit lead until six straight points by the Retrievers (2-10) cut the lead to four with 11 minutes to play. Moses Morgan then hit a jumper in the lane and added a free throw for a three-point play.

Jamee Crockett stole the ball and Brandon Young made two free throws, and Young found Melvin for an alley-oop to stretch the lead back to 11.

Morgan led UMBC with 15 points.