DePaul University
Villanova
Jenkins Keys Crucial Victory Over Villanova
2/1/2015 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Box Score 
CHICAGO - DePaul junior guard Chanise Jenkins led the way for the Blue Demons in a 49-47 BIG EAST Conference victory over Villanova on Sunday at McGrath-Phillips Arena. DePaul has won its last four games and improves to 17-6 and is 9-2 in BIG EAST games. Villanova falls to 13-10 and is 7-4 in league games.
Jenkins totaled 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting which included 3-of-3 from behind the arc. The Chicago native also added four rebounds and three assists.
Brittany Hrynko was the only other Blue Demon to reach double figures and scored 10 points. The Blue Demons struggled from the field and shot a season-low 29.7 percent.
Jessica January provided an all-around performance with nine rebounds, five points, five assists and two steals in 37 minutes of action. Brooke Schulte sparked the Blue Demons off the bench with seven rebounds, a team-high three steals and added five points.
DePaul opened up a 21-9 lead in the opening 12-plus minutes with Jenkins being credited with 10 early points. The Blue Demons took their largest lead of the game (25-9) when a Centrese McGee steal became a January 3-pointer with 5:42 to play in the half.
Villanova closed out the half on an 8-3 run, but the Blue Demons took a 28-17 lead into the locker room.
DePaul never relinquished its lead in the second half, but the Wildcats did not go away.
With the Blue Demons leading 32-19 with 18:21 to play, Villanova put together a 15-4 run to close the gap to just two points - 36-34 -- with 8:15 to play.
With its lead nearly gone, Jenkins answered the call by knocking down her third 3-pointer of the afternoon which gave DePaul some breathing room.
The Wildcats got within two with 54 seconds and again with 22 seconds, but the Blue Demon defense proved to be the difference maker.
DePaul forced Villanova into 13 turnovers. The Wildcats came into the game leading Division I with the fewest turnovers per game with 8.7 per outing.
Villanova was led by Taylor Holeman's 10 points and 18 rebounds. Emily Leer paced the Wildcats with 14 points.
The Blue Demons hit the road next weekend for BIG EAST games at Butler (Feb. 6) and at Xavier (Feb. 8).
Notes: This was the 13th meeting between the programs all-time... DePaul leads the overall series 10-3... with her two makes from downtown, Brittany Hrynko moved into third place on the program's all-time made three's list... Jenkins tied a season-high with 19 points... the Blue Demons move to 9-4 when Jenkins reaches double figures this season... both DePaul (28) and Villanova (17) scored season lows in points at the break... the Blue Demons are 3-0 this season when holding opponents under 50 points... Villanova's Emily Leer hit the 10-point plateau for the 10th time on the year... DePaul and Villanova split their meetings this season... DePaul improves to 7-0 in the series in games played in Lincoln Park.
