Jeremiah Kelly scored 24 points - one shy of his career high - as DePaul rode a strong outside shooting performance to an 80-70 victory over visiting Mississippi Valley State on Monday.

The Blue Demons (2-0) trailed 21-18 with 8:35 left in the first half before putting together a 12-2 surge, capped by three 3-pointers from Kelly in a span of 54 seconds.

Two more baskets from behind the arc by Kelly before halftime helped DePaul stretch its advantage to 46-34 and the Delta Devils (0-2) never got back within single digits.

Mississippi Valley State outrebounded DePaul and outscored the Blue Demons from the foul line 20-9, but it was undone by its inability to defend - or hit - the outside shot. DePaul was 10-for-24 from 3-point range, while the Delta Devils made 2-of-12.

Brandon Young scored 21 points and Cleveland Melvin added 16 for the Blue Demons.

Amos Studivant had 12 points and 12 rebounds, and Paul Crosby had 15 points for Mississippi Valley State.