DePaul University Athletics
Blue Demons Pull Away From Idaho State
11/16/2008 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Twenty straight points in the second half by DePaul opened up a tight game as the Blue Demons won, 73-55, over Idaho State in the season-opener for both teams. The game was the first of three at the Basketball Travelers Tip-Off Classic in Albuquerque, N.M. DePaul takes on Alcorn State in the second game Sunday night at The Pit.
Idaho State hit the first basket of the game before a turnaround jumper in the paint followed by a fast break lay-up for Natasha Williams. DePaul (1-0) lead by 11 on two occasions in the first half, but the Bengals crept back each time. Consecutive three-pointers by Sam Quigley, Erin Cattell and Taylor Pikes gave the Blue Demons a 27-16 advantage before Idaho State cut it to just three points.
A 23-1 run midway through the second half turned a 40-36 lead into a 63-37 advantage as the Blue Demons reeled off 20 straight points. Two Deirdre Naughton free throws gave DePaul its first 20-point lead with just over 12 minutes left. Pikes found Rachel Pierson for a short jumper at 8:04 to give the Blue Demons their largest lead of the evening at 63-37.
Williams led DePaul with 16 points while Keisha Hampton totaled 10 points and six boards in her collegiate debut. Pikes added eight rebounds and seven points while Naughton and Pierson chipped in eight points each.
Idaho State (0-1) was led by Oana Iacovita with 11 points. Chelsea Pickering grabbed six rebounds with five assists and three points.
DePaul takes on Alcorn State in the second game of the Basketball Travelers Tip-Off Tourney. The Blue Demons and Lady Braves start play at 5 p.m. MT Sunday evening. Alcorn State lost, 94-38, in its opener against host New Mexico on Saturday night.
Game Notes: DePaul is now 26-9 all-time in season-opening games... the Blue Demons increased their streak to 107 consecutive games with a three-pointer... the win was No. 415 for Doug Bruno at DePaul and No. 610 in DePaul women’s basketball history... Saturday was the first meeting between the two programs... the Blue Demons are now 4-1 all-time against teams from the Big Sky Conference.
