DePaul Confronts No. 2/2 Notre Dame on Sunday
12/16/2017 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO - One thing's for sure---you have to respect the conviction in the way DePaul coach Doug Bruno sets up his nonconference schedule.
After facing No. 21/21 Oklahoma in just the second game of the season, the Blue Demons were challenged by the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the nation during a span of nine days.
"If I expect my players to be fearless when they compete, I can ask no less of myself and the women's basketball program," Bruno said.
That fearless quality enabled them to prevail over Oklahoma 111-108 in overtime and persevere through a 103-69 loss to No. 1/1 Connecticut.
After rebounding in a big way with a 92-63 triumph over rival Northwestern, DePaul (7-3) heads across the state line to challenge No. 2/2 Notre Dame (9-1) on Sunday.
This is the same Fighting Irish that led UConn for much of the game during their Dec. 3 road showdown including 62-54 heading into the fourth quarter when the Huskies rallied for an 80-71 victory.
DePaul was out of sync in falling behind 20-2 to Northwestern last Wednesday before battling back within four at halftime.
Then came the remarkable third quarter in which Kelly Campbell's 16 points in eight minutes ignited the highest-scoring quarter of the season as the Blue Demons outscored the host team 41-9.
Campbell scored eight points in the first two minutes and finished with 18 points, seven assists, six rebounds and five steals along with a career-high seven field goals. Deja Cage earned career bests in rebounds with six and assists with four.
The Blue Demons enter Sunday's game leading the nation in three-pointers per game and are second in three-point baskets and attempts. They have the No. 3 scoring offense in the country at nearly 90 points a game and are fourth in assist-turnover ratio and fifth in turnover margin.
Additionally, Bruno's team is No. 7 in assists per game and No. 8 in total assists. Campbell is No. 6 in the country in assist-turnover ratio and No. 27 in assists. Ashton Millender is No. 23 in three-pointers and No. 29 in three-point attempts.
Notre Dame is coming off a 66-54 win last Saturday at Penn and is led by Arike Ogunbowale who is averaging 20.7 points per game. Jackie Young is averaging 14.5 points and 7.7 rebounds while 6-foot, 4-inch Jessica Shepard averages 12.9 points and eight rebounds.
