Will Walker scored 21 points and DePaul used outstanding defense to overcome its own offensive woes Wednesday night for a 58-50 victory over Alabama State. DePaul (5-1) is off to its best start since 2003-04, when it also was 5-1 and went on to earn an NCAA tournament bid. The school hasn't been back to the tourney since and was 9-24 last season, including 0-18 in the Big East. The Blue Demons shot only 36.7 percent but held Alabama State (1-4) to 32.7 percent shooting and forced 17 turnovers. DePaul has allowed 54.8 points per game this season and went into Wednesday ranked 12th nationally in that department. Menji Mundadi scored 13 points for the Hornets, who had lost their previous three road games by a combined 100 points. Alabama State stayed in the game by outrebounding DePaul 42-31 and by going 13 for 14 on free throws.
