DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Colgate
No. 20 DePaul Tops Colgate 96-46 Behind Coleman, Grant
11/27/2015 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Box Score: DePaul 96, Colgate 46 
CHICAGO - No. 20 DePaul made sure to welcome two new players in the best way possible Friday night while also welcoming back a former member of the Blue Demon women's basketball coaching staff.
Newcomers Jacqui Grant and Amarah Coleman fit right in during a 96-46 triumph over Colgate that saw DePaul improve to 5-1 on the season. Colgate dropped to 0-4.
The Blue Demons had five players in double figures led by Coleman with 15. Grant and Jessica January scored 14 points each while Ashton Millender finished with 13 points and Megan Podkowa contributed 10 points and seven rebounds. DePaul's pressure defense forced 25 Colgate turnovers.
Grant and Coleman transferred from Illinois and were granted eligibility by the NCAA earlier in the week. Grant is a 6-foot, 3-inch junior forward from Maine South who immediately bolstered the Blue Demon inside attack. Coleman is an athletic 5-11 sophomore guard from Bolingbrook who strengthens an already deep and talented backcourt.
Colgate coach Nicci Hays Fort is in her fourth season with the Raiders after serving on DePaul coach Doug Bruno's staff.
It didn't take long for Coleman and Grant to make an impact. The dynamic Coleman came up with two steals within a minute of entering the game with 6 minutes, 11 seconds left in the first quarter. Coleman's first steal led to a Grant basket down low, and Coleman followed that with a three-pointer.
The duo helped DePaul take off on a 26-5 run that resulted in a 30-10 lead after one quarter. The newest additions gave the Blue Demons a deep, high-quality 10-player rotation.
"We found out during practice Wednesday that Jacqui and Amarah became eligible," Bruno said. "Athletic director Jean Lenti Ponsetto walked into the gym and gave me a thumbs-up. We're grateful to the NCAA for granting them eligibility. We were thrilled they were on the floor tonight and they are going to be beneficial to our growth.
"This instantly adds depth. We gain another talented inside player in Jacqui and another talented guard in Amarah. Jacqui is a strong inside player with good guard skills and Amarah can play any backcourt position."
Grant scored twice early in the second quarter, and a Mart'e Grays three-point play helped build a 41-17 lead midway through the quarter.
The home team kept attacking as Millender buried a three and hit a pair of free throws. Lauren Prochaska's two foul shots made it 48-21 at halftime.
"It was very energizing to get out there and play with our new teammates," Grant said. "It was a great feeling, and coach Bruno helped Amarah and I understand how `DePaulBall' works.
Long-range swishes beyond the arc from January, Millender and Grant along with a pair of Podkowa baskets lifted DePaul to a 61-25 advantage midway through the third quarter. Millender's layup off a nice Grant feed made it 68-33 after three quarters. Coleman's basket towards the end of the fourth quarter gave the Blue Demons a 50-point lead.
"I love playing `DePaulBall,'" Coleman said. "You have to be in great condition because it's a different type of running. You've got to be ready. I was very excited to be on the court tonight."
DePaul's next game is a huge one versus No. 1/1 Connecticut at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at McGrath-Phillips Arena.
