Smith's Triple-Double Leads DePaul Over UIC
11/30/2004 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO - The trio of Caprice, Charlene and Khara Smith each scored in double-figures as DePaul topped Illinois-Chicago, 97-54, at the DePaul Athletic Center on Tuesday night. The three Smith's combined for 48 points as DePaul won for the 30th consecutive time over the Flames.
DePaul (5-0) opened the game with three-pointers by Jenna Rubino, Jenni Dant and another by Rubino to take an 11-2 lead just over two minutes into the game. Another three-pointer by Allie Quigley pushed the advantage to 20 points at 31-11 before the Blue Demons took a 52-26 lead at halftime.
The 52 first points at intermission marked the fifth time in the last three games that DePaul has scored at least 50 in a half.
A 20-8 run to start the second period increased the lead to 74-34 with just over 13 minutes left in the game.DePaul led by as many as 46 points in the second half and Casmir Patterson's bid for 100 points banged off the rim as time expired.
Khara Smith led the Blue Demons with 20 points, 12 rebounds and three steals. The junior forward didn't miss a shot as she was 9-for-9 from the field. In the last two games, Smith is 18-for-19 from the field with the lone miss being a three-pointer against Northwestern.
Charlene Smith scored 17 points with four rebounds and four assists while Caprice Smith added 11 points and four boards. Rubino was the fourth Blue Demon in double-figures with 14 points to go with five assists and four rebounds.
Jacquay Holmes led UIC (1-4) with 19 points and five rebounds while Chrissy Dizon added 10 points and four assists.
DePaul hosts Loyola-Chicago next Monday at the DePaul Athletic Center. Tipoff with the Ramblers is set for 7 p.m. The Blue Demons have now won 14 straight home games and the last 11 against opponents from the state of Illinois.