DePaul University
#2/2 UConn
No. 15/14 DePaul Stumbles at No. 2/2 Connecticut
12/1/2016 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
STORRS, Conn. -- No. 15/14 DePaul got off to a slow start and could not recover as it fell at No. 2/2 Connecticut 91-46 on Thursday at Gampel Pavilion. UConn improves to 6-0, while the Blue Demons fall to 5-2 with both of its losses coming to teams ranked in the top five.
Kia Nurse led UConn with 33 points, Napheesa Collier finished with 18 and Katie Lou Samuelson recorded 16. The Huskies connected on 59 percent of its shots which included 13 3-pointers.
The Blue Demons were handicapped by poor shooting and the UConn defense held the Blue Demons to just 25 percent (17-for-68) percent from the field. The Huskies also forced DePaul into a season-high 24 turnovers.
Kelly Campbell led the Blue Demons with 10 points, eight of which came in the second half.
UConn held a 40-36 rebounding advantage, but the Blue Demons bested the Huskies on the offensive glass. DePaul grabbed 17 offensive boards compared to just six for the UConn. Amarah Coleman led DePaul on the glass with seven rebounds including three on the offensive glass.
DePaul forced UConn into turnovers in its first two possessions, but started the game 0-3 from the field. The Huskies scored on their next four possessions and led 8-1 which forced a Blue Demon timeout 7:33 to play in the first.
After starting 0-7, January connected on a 10-footer jumper with 4:07 to play in the quarter. The Blue Demons would get only one more field goal the rest of the quarter, a 3-pointer from Jacqui Grant. UConn led 37-6 heading into the second quarter.
Led by four points from Coleman, the Blue Demons stayed with the Huskies in the second quarter. DePaul took care of ball in the second 10 minutes and had just a pair of turnovers after turning the ball over 12 times in the opening quarter.
UConn led DePaul 53-19 heading into the half.
Ashton Millender started the third quarter with a 3-pointer, but UConn went on a 14-4 run over the next 4:30 and led 67-26 with 5:48 to play in the quarter.
DePaul outscored the Huskies 16-11 in the final 10 minutes. Campbell scored all eight of her points in the final quarter. The Blue Demons held an 8-1 advantage on the offensive glass and out-rebounded the Huskies 13-8 in the fourth quarter.
DePaul returns to Lincoln Park and hosts Prairie View A&M on Monday, Dec. 5. The game has been tabbed DePaul's Field Trip Game and will tip at Noon at McGrath-Phillips Arena.
Notes:
• DePaul has played No. 5/6 Baylor, then-No. 11/18 Syracuse and at No. 2/2 Connecticut in its last three games
• DePaul's six first-quarter points ties for the fewest points by the Blue Demons since the game went to quarters... UConn's 36 points are the most allowed by DePaul in a quarter.
• UConn shot 78.9 percent in the first quarter.
• DePaul had season lows for points (46), field goal percentage (.250), 3-pointers (7) and assists (8)
• UConn has won the last 14 meetings and now owns a 14-1 series advantage.
• UConn won its 36 straight at Gampel and 81st consecutive game.
