NJ Benson eventually developed into a starter for DePaul last season after being a lineup fixture at Missouri State the year before.The Blue Demons forward continues to show progress as a senior, averaging a career-best 11.8 points and 24.4 minutes per game entering Tuesday’s game against Morgan State in Chicago.Benson displayed his persistence and leadership Saturday, contributing a career-best 26 points on 11-for-15 shooting to key a four-point home win against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.”He was really vocal. He was hungry to get the ball,” DePaul coach Chris Holtmann said. “He attacked aggressively from the start of the game.”DePaul (6-3) played without guard Brandon Maclin (shoulder) on Saturday after he was injured Nov. 29. Maclin “is making real progress,” Holtmann said, but he remains day-to-day.Freshman Kruz McClure has capitalized on increased minutes during Maclin’s absence, scoring at least 17 points in the past two games. He scored each of his 17 points against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the second half.”He’s such a confident kid,” Holtmann said. “His aggressiveness, his confidence, his ability to get to the free-throw line. We got to shoot the ball better, but he was terrific there offensively, and he’s learning defensively. He’s committed.”Morgan State has lost six straight to fall to 1-7. The Bears’ lone victory came against Central Pennsylvania College, a USCAA Division II school, on Nov. 6.