Cleveland Melvin poured in a game-high 23 points as DePaul built a large early lead and held on for a 71-62 triumph over Florida Atlantic on Wednesday.

Melvin was the catalyst for the Blue Demons (6-6), scoring 12 points during a 29-7 first-half run that turned an early three-point deficit into an insurmountable lead. The freshman shot 9-for-17 from the field for the game as DePaul finished at 48 percent on the night.

The Owls (8-6) trimmed a 14-point deficit to three in the final minute, but Melvin made four free throws down the stretch to preserve the DePaul victory.

Jimmy Drew had 13 points off the bench while Tony Freeland added 12 in a reserve role for the Blue Demons, who have won three straight games.

Greg Gantt paced Florida Atlantic with 20 points and eight rebounds while Dennis Maven had 12 and Raymond Taylor added 11. The Owls shot 40 percent on the night to lose for just the second time in seven games.