Blue Demons Win Third Straight
12/1/2001 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO - Jamie Smith's three-point play with 13 seconds left was the deciding factor Saturday night in DePaul's 67-62 win over Toledo. Lenae Williams led all scorers with 26 points while grabbing seven rebounds with four steals. With the win, the Blue Demons improve to 5-2 heading into Tuesday night's matchup with Illinois.
In the first half, DePaul led throughout and built a seven-point advantage before going to the lockeroom ahead, 33-29. Williams led the way with 11 points in the first stanza while Smith grabbed eight boards. After taking a 17-16 lead on a jumper by Williams, DePaul went on an 8-2 run to lead 25-18 with 6:56 left in the half. Toledo came back and cut it to 30-29 with under two minutes left, but Williams scored the half's final three points.
DePaul built the lead to as much as nine points at 42-33 with 16:19 left in the game. Toledo slowly chipped away at the Blue Demons and went ahead, 57-56, on a Mary Blessing layup with 4:35 left in the game.
From that point, Williams took over the game as she scored nine of DePaul's final 12 points. She sank seven free throws and hit a jumper to lead the Blue Demons while Smith made the biggest bucket of the night and the ensuing free throw.
Smith scored seven points with a game-high 11 rebounds and three blocked shots. Yolanda Lewis, who missed the last two games, chipped in nine points and Sarah Kustok added seven points, five rebounds and a pair of steals.
Up next for the Blue Demons is a Tuesday night game with Illinois. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at the DePaul Athletic Center.