Smith Powers DePaul Past Challengers
11/4/2006 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Box Score
CHICAGO – Caprice Smith put up her second double-double in as many games with game-high's of 20 points and 14 rebounds to lead DePaul past the Chicago Challengers, 92-67, in an exhibition game on Saturday evening. The Blue Demons finish the exhibition season with two wins and open the schedule next Sunday at Oklahoma in the State Farm Tip-Off Classic.
The first 14 minutes played even as the Blue Demons held a slight lead. Two free throws by Smith and a Jenna Rubino layup pushed DePaul ahead by eight points, 28-20, with just under five minute left in the opening period. Following a jumper for the Challengers by former Blue Demon Jamie Lewis, Smith drained a three-pointer for a nine-point advantage.
Smith's trifecta started an 11-2 run that saw the Blue Demons take a 39-24 lead before Thurlin Buchanan hit a layup for a 39-26 halftime score in favor of DePaul. Smith nearly put together her double-double in the first half with 14 points and nine boards.
DePaul put up over 50 points in the second half for the second straight game while building a lead as high as 26 points. An Erin Cattell jumper with 12:26 left in the game pushed the advantage to 21 points at 64-43 and the Blue Demons would never lead by less than 20 points for the remainder of the contest.
Five DePaul players scored in double-figures led by Smith's 20 points and 14 rebounds. The junior went 9-for-10 from the free throw line while playing just 25 minutes. Missy Mitidiero added 14 points with a pair of three-pointers. Rubino chipped in 12 points followed by Cattell with 11 and Holly Medley's 12 points.
The Blue Demons begin the regular-season campaign next Sunday at Oklahoma. The Sooners are hosting the State Farm Tip-Off Classic with Rutgers and Georgia opening the ESPN2-televised doubleheader at 12:30 p.m.