DePaul University Athletics
Sunday, January 13
Villanova, Pa.
12:00 P.M. CT
DePaul University
at
Villanova
Next BIG EAST Test at Dangerous Villanova
1/12/2019 3:07:00 PM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Blue Demons will need complete team effort Sunday afternoon
VILLANOVA, Pa. – This is looking like a season that will test the character of the DePaul women's basketball program, taking measure of all the storied resiliency and head-heart-guts woven into the very fabric of this Doug Bruno creation.
There is one classic example---a role model, if you will---of this determination to overcome all odds.
The academic year was 2011-12. A program-worst outbreak of season-ending injuries cut short the playing time for projected WNBA lottery pick Keisha Hampton, BIG EAST Sixth Player of the Year Taylor Pikes, starting freshman point guard Chanise Jenkins, top reserve Maureen Mulchrone and freshman Alexis Gallagher.
The Blue Demons were down to seven healthy players. Standout guard Anna Martin remarked: "There were so few of us in the pregame layup line that we looked like some park district team."
Sounding the rally cry, Bruno refused to feel sorry for himself or his team and nicknamed the group "The Magnificent Seven" after the classic Yul Brynner western.
Led by Martin, current Harlem Globetrotter Brittany Hrynko, Katherine Harry and Jasmine Penny, these Blue Demons scraped and clawed and fought their way to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Never before at DePaul had so few done so much for so many.
Bruno would like to instill some of that nostalgic inner fortitude into this year's team that challenges a dangerous Villanova ball club on its home court at noon on Sunday.
There were traces of that Friday night when DePaul (11-5, 2-2 in the BIG EAST) overcame a 16-point deficit near the end of the second quarter to outscore Georgetown 46-28 in the second half for a hard-earned 69-64 victory.
Picking up the mantle of leadership has been senior Mart'e Grays who has scored in double figures seven of the last eight games. She had 22 points against the Hoyas in just 19 minutes.
Kelly Campbell is revisiting the rebounding ferocity of last season with 62 boards in the last seven games.
Chante Stonewall made an impact all over the McDonough Arena court Friday night with 14 points, seven rebounds and three steals.
That trio will look to continue their recent surge while welcoming valuable contributions from three-point specialist Ashton Millender and guards Rebekah Dahlman, Tanita Allen, Dee Bekelja and Sonya Morris.
It will take all of that to help overcome a Villanova team that is 10-5 and 2-3 in conference. The Wildcats have beaten Creighton and Xavier in league action while losing to the top two teams Butler and Marquette along with Providence. Villanova is 6-2 on its home court where coach Harry Perretta's program knocked off DePaul 84-58 last season.
Bruno and his coaching staff will look to contain a trio of Wildcat threats. Kelly Jekot leads Villanova at 13.7 points a game while Adrianna Hahn is scoring at a 12.9 clip while topping the team in assists and steals. Mary Gedaka is averaging 12.5 points and a team-leading 7.5 rebounds.
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There is one classic example---a role model, if you will---of this determination to overcome all odds.
The academic year was 2011-12. A program-worst outbreak of season-ending injuries cut short the playing time for projected WNBA lottery pick Keisha Hampton, BIG EAST Sixth Player of the Year Taylor Pikes, starting freshman point guard Chanise Jenkins, top reserve Maureen Mulchrone and freshman Alexis Gallagher.
The Blue Demons were down to seven healthy players. Standout guard Anna Martin remarked: "There were so few of us in the pregame layup line that we looked like some park district team."
Sounding the rally cry, Bruno refused to feel sorry for himself or his team and nicknamed the group "The Magnificent Seven" after the classic Yul Brynner western.
Led by Martin, current Harlem Globetrotter Brittany Hrynko, Katherine Harry and Jasmine Penny, these Blue Demons scraped and clawed and fought their way to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Never before at DePaul had so few done so much for so many.
Bruno would like to instill some of that nostalgic inner fortitude into this year's team that challenges a dangerous Villanova ball club on its home court at noon on Sunday.
There were traces of that Friday night when DePaul (11-5, 2-2 in the BIG EAST) overcame a 16-point deficit near the end of the second quarter to outscore Georgetown 46-28 in the second half for a hard-earned 69-64 victory.
Picking up the mantle of leadership has been senior Mart'e Grays who has scored in double figures seven of the last eight games. She had 22 points against the Hoyas in just 19 minutes.
Kelly Campbell is revisiting the rebounding ferocity of last season with 62 boards in the last seven games.
Chante Stonewall made an impact all over the McDonough Arena court Friday night with 14 points, seven rebounds and three steals.
That trio will look to continue their recent surge while welcoming valuable contributions from three-point specialist Ashton Millender and guards Rebekah Dahlman, Tanita Allen, Dee Bekelja and Sonya Morris.
It will take all of that to help overcome a Villanova team that is 10-5 and 2-3 in conference. The Wildcats have beaten Creighton and Xavier in league action while losing to the top two teams Butler and Marquette along with Providence. Villanova is 6-2 on its home court where coach Harry Perretta's program knocked off DePaul 84-58 last season.
Bruno and his coaching staff will look to contain a trio of Wildcat threats. Kelly Jekot leads Villanova at 13.7 points a game while Adrianna Hahn is scoring at a 12.9 clip while topping the team in assists and steals. Mary Gedaka is averaging 12.5 points and a team-leading 7.5 rebounds.
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Players Mentioned
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Guard
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Guard
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Guard
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Forward
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Guard
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Guard
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Forward
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