DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Villanova
Hrynko Leads DePaul Past Villanova, 71-56
2/25/2014 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Feb. 25, 2014
Box Score: DePaul 71, Villanova 56 
VILLANOVA, Pa. - Brittany Hrynko scored a season-best 25 points and led the DePaul women's basketball team to a 71-56 victory over Villanova on Tuesday at the Pavilion. The Blue Demons have won their last two games and improve to 22-6 on the year and are 13-3 in BIG EAST Conference games. With the loss, Villanova falls to 20-7 and drops to 10-6 in league games.
Hrynko's season-best scoring came on 10-of-13 from the field which included a 5-of-5 effort from 3-point range. Hrynko's perfection from behind the arc tied DePaul's 3-point field goal percentage single-game record and all five of her triples came in the opening half.
Megan Podkowa also tied a career-high with her four 3-pointers and finished with 13 points. Jasmine Penny scored 12 points and was flawless at the free throw line with an impressive 6-of-6 effort.
Hrynko added to her dominant performance with a team-high nine rebounds and two steals. Penny added eight rebounds while Podkowa and Centrese McGee each added six boards.
DePaul started the game on a vigorous and efficient pace; connecting on six of its first nine shots and previewed what would transpire over the next 20 minutes.
The Blue Demons shot nearly 55 percent in the opening half and connected on 8-of-12 (66.7%) from the arc. Hrynko, who led all players with 17 points, was a perfect 5-of-5 from three-point land. Podkowa who scored six of DePaul's first eight points collected 10 points in the opening half.
DePaul jumped out to an early 16-3 lead in the opening 5:15 and never looked back. Villanova got within six points twice, including 19-13 with 8:47 to play in the half. The Blue Demons however locked down on defense and closed out the half on a 25-13 run which saw them knock down five 3-pointers in the waning minutes.
Villanova opened the second half on a 13-3 run and pulled within 10 points - 49-39 -- before a Hrynko layup gave the Blue Demons a 12-point advantage with just under 14 minutes to play.
The pesky Wildcats would pull within eight (60-52) with just under 7:30 to play before the Blue Demons went on a 7-0 run which was capped off by a Hrynko layup.
Villanova was led by Devon Kane's 19 points and Taylor Holeman added 10 points.
DePaul travels to St. John's for a 12 p.m. (CT) with the Red Storm on Mar. 1. Saturday's game will be telecast on Fox Sports 2. LaChina Robinson and Tiffany Greene will handle the announcing duties.
Notes: DePaul improves to 6-2 in BIG EAST road games and is 7-4 and this season on the road... DePaul's 71 points was a season low, previous low was 73 points against Washington on Dec. 20 in Las Vegas... DePaul's 10 assists were a season-low, previous low as 15 against Creighton on Feb. 9... DePaul has knocked down 10 or more 3-pointers in 16 games this season including its last four... DePaul needs just three more 3-pointers this season to tie the school record for triples in a season which was set by the 2011-12 with 256 3-pointers... Brittany Hrynko is now tied with Ashley Luke for sixth all-time at DePaul with 180 3-pointers... with 17 points in the first half, Hrynko moved passed Deirdre Naughton on DePaul's all-time scoring list and now has 1,207 points which ranks 25th... Megan Podkowa tied a career-high with four triples... DePaul outrebounded Villanova 38-23 which included a 20-10 effort in the first half... DePaul improves to 9-2 all-time against Villanova and won both meetings this season... DePaul improves to 3-2 in games played at Villanova.
