DePaul Shoots to Take Down Xavier on Sunday

CINCINNATI – Although it's a nice asset to have in your portfolio, DePaul would rather not rely on its propensity for late-game heroics.

And yet, that has been an overarching theme this season as the Blue Demons worked their comeback magic once again against Butler.

Coach Doug Bruno's band on the run trailed the BIG EAST title contender by 12 points with just over six minutes left Friday night in Indianapolis when a Chante Stonewall-inspired 20-3 run pulled out an 86-78 victory.

Outscoring the Bulldogs 30-11 in the fourth quarter was their saving grace. Bruno would prefer not to need that on Sunday when his team takes on Xavier at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati that will be televised on FS2.

The search is ongoing for a consistent offensive rhythm and cohesion. For now, the light seems to go on when DePaul (14-6, 5-3 in the BIG EAST) needs it the most.

In 11 of the team's 14 wins, the Blue Demons have outscored their opponent in the fourth quarter. In total, they have outscored the opposition 426-358 in the final 10 minutes.

Stonewall had an outstanding shooting night at Butler and now leads the team in scoring at 13.8 points per game.

Ashton Millender is right behind her at 13.3 and Mart'e Grays is averaging 12.9 points. Stonewall also tops the team in steals and blocked shots.

DePaul continues to be the NCAA's marquee program when it comes to long-distance shooting. Bruno's team is No. 1 in three-pointers, three-point attempts and threes per game.

The Blue Demons will also hurt you from the free throw line as they are third in the nation in free throw percentage. They are No. 7 in assists, No. 9 in assists per game, No. 11 in scoring offense and No. 18 in assist-turnover ratio.

Millender is No. 12 in the country in three-point attempts and No. 20 in three-point field goals. Kelly Campbell is No. 22 in assist-turnover ratio.

Watch on Sunday for Millender to surpass Brittany Hrynko for No. 2 all-time in three-point attempts. Millender has 684 in her career, just three behind the uber-talented Hrynko who is now performing for the Harlem Globetrotters.

After going 9-2 in the nonconference season, Xavier has struggled with a 1-7 mark in BIG EAST competition. The Musketeers have lost four in a row and seven of their last eight.

Ariana Gray leads Xavier in scoring at 13.9 points a game, rebounding at 11.4 and in steals with 43. Na'Teshia Owens is averaging 12.2 points.

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Players Mentioned

Kelly Campbell

Martè Grays

Ashton Millender

Chante Stonewall