DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Appalachian State
No. 21/21 DePaul Blasts Appalachian State 99-58
11/11/2016 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO - No. 21/21 DePaul was more than ready for its season opener Friday night at McGrath-Phillips Arena.
Behind Ashton Millender's 19 points and 16 from Amarah Coleman, the Blue Demons ran past Appalachian State 99-58 in the Maggie Dixon Classic. After forcing 32 turnovers, they advance to Saturday's title game and face UAB (1-0) at 8 p.m.
Jessica January finished with 14 points, seven assists and five rebounds while Deja Cage scored 13 points and Brooke Schulte 10.
DePaul is now 33-10 in season openers including 26-5 on its home court. Coach Doug Bruno's team has won 9 of its last 10 openers.
The Blue Demons wasted little time attacking the Mountaineers at both ends of the court. Setting a blistering pace, DePaul forced Appalachian State into 14 turnovers in the first 10 minutes as the visitors were playing at an uncomfortable tempo.
The stifling full-court defense resulted in the Apps making just one of their first 11 shots in falling behind 30-5 after one quarter.
A 14-0 run in the middle of the second quarter sparked by six-straight Schulte points and five in a row by Kelly Campbell increased the margin to 47-9. DePaul had forced 20 turnovers in the first 15 minutes.
Playing all 11 players, Bruno watched his team build a 65-20 lead by halftime. DePaul had four players in double figures after 20 minutes. It was a 51-point margin by the middle of the third quarter.
The Blue Demons are back at McGrath-Phillips Arena for Saturday night's title showdown against UAB.
Notes:
- DePaul improves to 33-10 in season openers while Doug Bruno improves to 24-7… DePaul has won its last two season openers and 14 of its last 17.
- DePaul improves to 203-36 at McGrath-Phillips Arena and is 97-12 against non-conference opponents… Blue Demons improve to 190-16 against unranked opponents at McGrath-Phillips Arena
- January finished with a team-high seven assists and now has 432 assists which ranks sixth all-time… she passed Allie Quigley (2004-08) who had 427 assists in her career.
- DePaul shot 59.5 percent in the first half and was 8-of-13 from 3-point range
- DePaul outscored Appalachian State 65-20 in the first have and held the Mountaineers to just five points in the first quarter
- DePaul is now 3-0 all-time against Appalachian State
- DePaul plays UAB at 8 p.m. for the Championship of the Maggie Dixon Classic… UAB defeated Gardner-Webb 59-49 in the first game of the tournament on Friday.
