DePaul University Athletics
Blue Demons Come Up Short at Rutgers
2/27/2008 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
PISCATAWAY, N.J. A 10-point spurt in the final five minutes pushed No. 4/4 Rutgers past DePaul, 60-46, on Wednesday night at the Louis Brown Athletic Center. Missy Mitidiero led the Blue Demons with 21 points on seven three-pointers while Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer collected her 800th career victory.
DePaul used consecutive three-pointers from Mitidiero and Allie Quigley followed by another three from Mitidiero to take an 11-7 lead midway through the first half. The Blue Demons were active early from behind the arc as nine of their first 12 field attempts were from three-point range.
Natasha Williams’ bucket at 14:07 served as the last field goal until Taylor Pikes drilled a three-pointer from the corner at 4:49. Rutgers took advantage of the drought with 13 straight points to take a 20-11 advantage before Pikes ended the run. Prince led the way during the flurry with eight points.
The Blue Demons finished the half with a basket by Deirdre Naughton and started the second period with an inside field goal for Williams and Mitidiero’s third and fourth three-pointers of the night to tie the game at 24-24. After Heather Zurich knocked down a 15-footer, Quigley sank a three from the top of the key to give the Blue Demons a one-point lead at the 15-minute mark.
Rutgers reeled off six straight points only to see DePaul answer and tie the game at 36-36 when Williams gathered a missed shot by Quigley and put it back in with nine minutes left. Mitidiero tied the score again at 41-41 before Rutgers opened up the game for good with 10 straight points.
Mitidiero’s seven three’s and 21 points led DePaul as she was the only player in double-figures. Quigley added eight points and Williams finished the game with six points and seven rebounds.
Rutgers was led by 20 from Essence Carson and Prince’s 15 points. The Scarlet Knights took advantage at the free throw line as they went 21-for-26 on the evening while the Blue Demons didn’t make a trip to the charity stripe.
DePaul closes the home schedule on Saturday night against #1/1 Connecticut at McGrath Arena. For tickets, call (773) 325-SLAM.
Game Notes: With three three’s to open the game, DePaul registered 200 three's in a season for the ninth straight year... DePaul has made at least 10 three’s in seven games this season... Allie Quigley made her 115th consecutive start... with eight points her streak of consecutive games in double-figures ended at 36... China Threatt made her first start of the season... it is also her first start since six starts as a freshman (last, vs. USF Feb. 6, 2007)... Mitidiero’s seven three’s set a new career-high and tied for third (sixth time) on DePaul’s single-game chart... the 46 points were a season-low for DePaul and the lowest total since a 62-44 loss at Cincinnati on Jan. 14, 2007... Rutgers now leads the series, 3-1.
