DePaul 85, Fairfield 78: Cleveland Melvin matched his career high with 30 points, including 24 in the first half, and the Blue Demons held off a late rally by the visiting Stags.

Melvin’s tap-in with just under a minute to play gave DePaul (3-3) an 81-73 advantage after Fairfield had trimmed a 16-point lead to six. Brandon Young, who finished with 20 points, followed with four straight from the free-throw line to seal it for the Blue Demons.

Derek Needham scored 29 points and dished out eight assists for Fairfield (3-4), which recorded 14 of its 19 turnovers in the first half. Amadou Sidibe chipped in with 11 points and as many rebounds for the Stags.

Charles McKinney notched a career-high 11 points and Donnavan Kirk added 10 points and nine rebounds for DePaul. Kirk had six points during a 12-4 run to start the second half that gave the Blue Demons a 57-41 lead.

Melvin had 20 points in the first 11:30 of the game as DePaul took its biggest lead of the opening 20 minutes, 34-19. Fairfield hung in, getting 16 points and five assists from Needham, as the Stags crept within 45-37 at halftime.

GAME NOTEBOOK: DePaul forward Jamee Crockett missed his third straight game with a knee injury. He is listed day-to-day. … Needham is from Dolton, Ill., just south of Chicago. … Melvin, who had 30 points against Chicago State last season, has scored in double figures in 20 straight games and 38 of his last 40. … DePaul is 4-0 against Fairfield and 29-11 against current MAAC teams.