Blue Demons Win Final Exhibition Game
11/7/2001 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO - The DePaul women's basketball team defeated RTU Klondaika of Latvia, 96-79, Wednesday night at the DePaul Athletic Center. The game was the final tune-up for the Blue Demons prior to the start of the 2001-02 regular season. Freshman Jenni Dant came off the bench to lead DePaul with a team-high 24 points.
After falling behind 6-9 in the first half, Dant and fellow freshman Khara Smith combined for 12 points during a 20-7 DePaul run that gave the Blue Demons a 26-16 lead with 10:33 left in the half. Smith finished the game with her second double-double in as many games with 13 points and 11 boards. DePaul took a 56-34 advantage to the locker room at halftime.
The second 20 minutes was played even as RTU Klondaika outscored DePaul, 45-40. However, the Latvians could only get as close as 93-79 with 14 seconds remaining in the game. Zane Teilane led three players in double-figures with a game-high 25 points and 12 rebounds.
Others in double-figures for DePaul included Lenae Williams with 17 points, Sarah Kustok with 13 and Lindsay Forsberg with 10. Forsberg also had a team-high five assists for the Blue Demons.
In the two exhibition games, the Blue Demons averaged 106.5 points per game while shooting a combined .520 from the field.
DePaul tips off the regular season on Nov. 16 in the annual Moran Realty Classic. Arkansas State, Eastern Washington and Western Michigan travel to Chicago for the two-day tournament. Arkansas State and Western Michigan start the action on Nov. 16 at 6 p.m. followed by Eastern Washington and DePaul at 8 p.m. On Sat., Nov. 17, the consolation game will be played at 6 p.m. and the championship at 8 p.m.