Tennessee State Next for No. 20/18 DePaul

CHICAGO – If there was one team in America that could have used a little break, it was No. 20/18 DePaul.

The Blue Demons emerged with a 7-3 record after a rugged nonconference schedule that saw coach Doug Bruno's program endure one stretch of playing five games in seven days. At the end of that gauntlet was No. 1/1 Connecticut.

After a four-day opportunity to rest, DePaul played three more games in seven days.

Following a week off, the Blue Demons should be refreshed and fully energized for their 7 p.m. game Monday night against Tennessee State at McGrath-Phillips Arena.

When they resume play, DePaul will be led by Ashton Millender (14.7 points a game), Chante Stonewall (13.9 points and team-high 7.1 rebounds) along with Mart'e Grays (11.7 points) who is coming off a stellar performance with a career-high 26 points in an 87-76 victory Dec. 9 at Oklahoma.

Junior point guard Kelly Campbell continues to contribute across the stat sheet while leading the team in assists, tying with Stonewall for the team lead in steals and blocks while ranking second in rebounds.

Lexi Held is making a quick adjustment to the elite Division I level after being named the BIG EAST Freshman of the Week on Dec. 3 and 10. In that two-week span, the 5-foot, 10-inch guard scored 68 points in five games while shooting 68 percent from the floor including 12-of-18 from three-point range.

Rebekah Dahlman, Tanita Allen, Dee Bekelja, Sonya Morris and Maya Stovall are also making key contributions in a versatile player rotation that also features Jolene Daninger.

DePaul comes into Monday night's game leading the nation in three-pointers, attempts and three-pointers per game.

The Blue Demons are No. 2 in free throw percentage, No. 3 in assists, No. 11 in assists per game and No. 14 in both assist-turnover ratio and scoring offense. Millender is No. 7 in the country in three-pointers, No. 14 in three-point attempts and No. 17 in threes per game. Campbell and Stonewall are No. 23 in steals.

Tennessee State (0-10) opened the season losing to the likes of No. 4/3 Louisville, South Alabama (receiving votes), Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Wisconsin and Pittsburgh. Opponents are outscoring the Tigers by an average of 79.2-58.

Taylor Roberts is the leading scorer at 15.7 points a game and also tops the team in three-pointers, field goal percentage, three-point percentage and steals.

Bruno and his players are also quite enthusiastic about their sixth annual holiday toy drive. Blue Demon fans are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate at Monday's game. There will be collection bins in the lobby of McGrath-Phillips Arena. All donations benefit the children of the St. Vincent DePaul Center as they spread Christmas joy to the youngsters.

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Players Mentioned

Tanita Allen

Dee Bekelja

Kelly Campbell

Rebekah Dahlman

Jolene Daninger

Martè Grays

Lexi Held

Ashton Millender

Sonya Morris

Chante Stonewall

Maya Stovall

DePaul University Athletics