No. 16/16 DePaul Ready for the Challenge

CANCUN – Certain foundational characteristics have become the hallmarks of coach Doug Bruno and the DePaul women's basketball program down through the years.

You can bank on the Blue Demons having what Bruno describes as the "greenest green light in America" when it comes to launching shots.

Absolutely sharing the ball is what generates all those open looks as DePaul is among the nation's elite when it comes to assists.

And few teams on the women's college basketball landscape re-focus and re-energize like the Blue Demons following a loss.

Another big bounce-back could be on tap Thanksgiving Day when No. 16/16 DePaul (1-1) clashes with Princeton (1-3) in the opener of the Cancun Challenge.

Five days ago, the Blue Demons led 29-22 after the first quarter against No. 1/1 Notre Dame only to see the defending national champion charge back for a 101-77 win.

Getting back on the winning track will be foremost in the minds of Bruno's players as they begin a daunting stretch of five games in seven days.

Princeton will be followed up with a Friday matchup against undefeated Kansas State (3-0) and then a Saturday showdown with No. 14/14 Syracuse (3-1) which has beaten No. 20/20 Texas A&M and lost by two to No. 3/3 Oregon.

Then it's back home to McGrath-Phillips Arena for a Monday night game against Savannah State. Two days later, Bruno & Co. head east to face No. 2/2 Connecticut.

Before any of that, BIG EAST Player of the Week Ashton Millender will lead her team against Princeton looking to maintain a torrid shooting touch. Against the Fighting Irish, Millender tied career highs with 27 points and seven 3-pointers. That was the most threes by any BIG EAST player this season.

Chante Stonewall will be ready to follow up her big-time performance scoring a career-high 21 points against Notre Dame.

Millender leads the Blue Demons averaging 21 points a game and is No. 2 in the nation in three-pointers per game. Stonewall is the second-leading scorer at 12.5 points per game followed by Rebekah Dahlman at 12 points a game.

DePaul (1-1) will be facing a Tigers team that won its season opener against Rider before losing three-straight to George Washington, Seton Hall and Penn State.

Gabrielle Rush leads the Tigers at 17 points a game while Carlie Littlefield is averaging 14.3 points and leads the team in assists, free throws and steals.

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Players Mentioned

Rebekah Dahlman

Ashton Millender

Chante Stonewall

DePaul University Athletics