Rosemont, IL -- (Sports Network) - Mac Koshwal registered a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds to lead the DePaul Blue Demons to a 59-53 win over the Columbia Lions in the season opener for both programs at Allstate Arena.

Koshwal, who knocked down 8-of-12 shots from the field for the Blue Demons (1-0), also handed out four assists for the victors. Will Walker chipped in with 15 points and Eric Wallace 10 for the home team, despite shooting only 1- of-7 at the free-throw line.

The Lions (0-1) were paced by Brian Grimes and Noruwa Agho with 13 points apiece, the former also collecting a team-best 11 rebounds along the way.

DePaul shot a sizzling 61.9 percent from the field in the first half, yet the squad led by only six points at the break, 31-25.

In the second half the Blue Demons dipped to 47.6 percent from the floor and nearly let the win slip away as they made good on only 6-of-14 shots at the free-throw line in what turned into a six-point decision.

The Blue Demons turned the ball over 15 times on the night and shot a woeful 9-of-24 at the charity stripe which was only slightly better than the 8-of-17 effort by Columbia.