DePaul University Athletics
Monday, December 3
McGrath-Phillips Arena
11:00 A.M. CT
DePaul University
vs
Temple
No. 16/14 DePaul Faces Temple on Field Trip Day
12/2/2018 12:06:00 PM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
More than 1,700 school children will scream their support Monday morning
CHICAGO – Get ready for the highest noise levels of the season Monday at McGrath-Phillips Arena.
That's when more than 1,700 energetic and excited school children will generate near-deafening decibel levels screaming out their support for No. 16/14 DePaul in its annual Field Trip Day game against Temple scheduled to tip off at 11 a.m.
Instead of quietly sitting at their desks in an orderly class room, these grammar-school students will be encouraged to let it rip as they get swept up in the furious pace of the Blue Demons' wide-open, high-octane attack that often elicits loud roars from the partisans.
The uplifting annual event originally initiated by DePaul Athletics Director Jean Lenti Ponsetto strives to introduce the possibility of a college education to children who didn't necessarily have such an academic path on their radar.
Since 2008, a total of 21,887 elementary school students have received free tickets to the Field Trip Day event along with free T-shirts. A large majority of the school children come from the Chicago Public Schools system.
The athletic department has provided a total of 402 buses to transport them to McGrath-Phillips Arena. In all, 234 schools have participated in this Vincentian community outreach in which the children also receive free T-shirts.
The effect is overwhelming judging by the huge multitude of thank-you letters and feedback from students, teachers and school administrators about Field Trip Day opening the children's eyes to a whole new world.
And what better way to expose a child to a college environment than cheering on one of America's most entertaining women's basketball programs.
Coach Doug Bruno gives his players the freedom to launch shots whenever a good look arises, often set up by the timely and unselfish passing of teammates. Bruno's teams are perennially at or near the top of the NCAA charts when it comes to shooting and making three-pointers along with a high volume of assists.
DePaul (4-3) comes into Monday's game leading the nation in three-point baskets and attempts while also ranking No. 9 in assists. Last season the Blue Demons won the NCAA statistical award for most three-pointers per game.
Ashton Millender heads up the long-distance shooting with 21 three-pointers and a .350 rate of success. Tanita Allen has knocked down 14 from behind the arc (.341 percent) while Dee Bekelja has 11 makes and a nifty .367 shooting percentage from distance. Kelly Campbell and Lexi Held have combined to go 12-of-32 for a .375 rate of success.
As fast as the action is on offense, there's no slowing down on defense. DePaul's vaunted repertoire of presses and traps speeds up the game's tempo as opponents play at an uncomfortable pace. Heading into Field Trip Day, the Blue Demons are forcing an average of 21 turnovers per game.
Temple (2-4) won its first two games of the season against Delaware State and Saint Joseph's but have dropped their last four (Ole Miss, Marist, Radford, No. 24/22 Miami). The Owls are being outscored on the average 63-61.2, and they have committed 94 turnovers in six games.
The biggest threat for DePaul on Monday is No. 25, 6-foot sophomore forward Mia Davis who leads the Owls with 19.2 points and nine rebounds a game. Graduate student point guard Alliya Butts is scoring 15.2 points a game and leads her team in assists and steals.
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That's when more than 1,700 energetic and excited school children will generate near-deafening decibel levels screaming out their support for No. 16/14 DePaul in its annual Field Trip Day game against Temple scheduled to tip off at 11 a.m.
Instead of quietly sitting at their desks in an orderly class room, these grammar-school students will be encouraged to let it rip as they get swept up in the furious pace of the Blue Demons' wide-open, high-octane attack that often elicits loud roars from the partisans.
The uplifting annual event originally initiated by DePaul Athletics Director Jean Lenti Ponsetto strives to introduce the possibility of a college education to children who didn't necessarily have such an academic path on their radar.
Since 2008, a total of 21,887 elementary school students have received free tickets to the Field Trip Day event along with free T-shirts. A large majority of the school children come from the Chicago Public Schools system.
The athletic department has provided a total of 402 buses to transport them to McGrath-Phillips Arena. In all, 234 schools have participated in this Vincentian community outreach in which the children also receive free T-shirts.
The effect is overwhelming judging by the huge multitude of thank-you letters and feedback from students, teachers and school administrators about Field Trip Day opening the children's eyes to a whole new world.
And what better way to expose a child to a college environment than cheering on one of America's most entertaining women's basketball programs.
Coach Doug Bruno gives his players the freedom to launch shots whenever a good look arises, often set up by the timely and unselfish passing of teammates. Bruno's teams are perennially at or near the top of the NCAA charts when it comes to shooting and making three-pointers along with a high volume of assists.
DePaul (4-3) comes into Monday's game leading the nation in three-point baskets and attempts while also ranking No. 9 in assists. Last season the Blue Demons won the NCAA statistical award for most three-pointers per game.
Ashton Millender heads up the long-distance shooting with 21 three-pointers and a .350 rate of success. Tanita Allen has knocked down 14 from behind the arc (.341 percent) while Dee Bekelja has 11 makes and a nifty .367 shooting percentage from distance. Kelly Campbell and Lexi Held have combined to go 12-of-32 for a .375 rate of success.
As fast as the action is on offense, there's no slowing down on defense. DePaul's vaunted repertoire of presses and traps speeds up the game's tempo as opponents play at an uncomfortable pace. Heading into Field Trip Day, the Blue Demons are forcing an average of 21 turnovers per game.
Temple (2-4) won its first two games of the season against Delaware State and Saint Joseph's but have dropped their last four (Ole Miss, Marist, Radford, No. 24/22 Miami). The Owls are being outscored on the average 63-61.2, and they have committed 94 turnovers in six games.
The biggest threat for DePaul on Monday is No. 25, 6-foot sophomore forward Mia Davis who leads the Owls with 19.2 points and nine rebounds a game. Graduate student point guard Alliya Butts is scoring 15.2 points a game and leads her team in assists and steals.
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Players Mentioned
Guard
/ WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Guard
/ WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Guard
/ WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Guard
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