Tuesday, October 29
Wintrust Arena
5:00 P.M. CT
DePaul University
0-0,0-0Big East
124
vs
60
Saint Xavier
0-0
1
2
3
4
F
St. Xavier
6
16
22
16
60
DePaul
24
43
28
29
124
A Promising Beginning for Deep Blue Demons
10/29/2019 9:17:00 PM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO – What the Blue Demon faithful saw Tuesday night at Wintrust Arena was BIG EAST preseason favorite DePaul showcasing its considerable depth and versatility.
From opening the game with a four-guard set and then bringing in five guards off the bench in a wave substitution, this team's deep backcourt provided a hint of its substantial potential.
Led by six players in double figures, DePaul blitzed Saint Xavier 124-60 in an exhibition game that revealed the promise that could lie ahead in 2019-20.
Chante Stonewall, one of the top 20 small forwards in the nation, topped the scoring parade with 21 points (7-of-9 shooting), eight rebounds and three steals. Right behind her was Michigan transfer Deja Church who put up 20 points and seven rebounds in her DePaul debut, shooting 7-of-9 including 4-for-4 from three-point land.
Showing signs of emerging in her sophomore season, Sonya Morris finished with 19 points including 5-of-8 from deep. Kelly Campbell, one of the top 20 point guards in the country, was brilliant as usual with 13 points, eight assists, six rebounds and three steals.
Speaking of emerging, Dee Bekelja looks poised for a breakout year. The junior who is seemingly gaining confidence by the day scored 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting to follow up an impressive 23-point performance against NCAA Second Round qualifier Michigan State in a closed scrimmage.
Another guard to keep an eye on is perhaps coach Doug Bruno's best-kept secret, redshirt sophomore Jolene Daninger. Respected as one of the top long-range shooters in the program, the dangerous Daninger went 3-for-4 from beyond the arc and scored 10 points.
DePaul broke the game wide open in the second quarter when it began raining threes in the South Loop. Led by Morris' three consecutive long-distance connections, the Blue Demons knocked down eight from distance in outscoring Saint Xavier 43-16 in the period.
They finished off the half with a 20-4 run and headed to the locker room with a 67-22 lead. Morris had 19 points in the first 20 minutes while Stonewall scored 16 and Church 13.
At that point, Morris, Stonewall and Church were a combined 10-of-13 from behind the arc. That trio along with Campbell would finish the game 14-of-18 on three-pointers.
Bruno's team kept up the torrid pace by opening the third quarter with a 22-9 burst fueled by a 14-0 run. Stonewall and Campbell led the way before heading to the bench after a wave substitution. DePaul built a 95-44 cushion heading into the fourth quarter.
Looking to work out the kinks, Bruno & Co. opened the game with a 12-2 run led by Church and Morris. Before long, Lexi Held joined the scoring parade.
A 10-2 Blue Demon burst increased the lead to 22-4, and the home team finished the first quarter with a 24-6 advantage. Church had seven points and five rebounds in the first 10 minutes while Morris added six point and Held five.
DePaul will have a nice break to get ready for its season opener Nov. 8 against Miami (Ohio) in the first round of the Preseason WNIT at Wintrust Arena.
Postgame Notes
From opening the game with a four-guard set and then bringing in five guards off the bench in a wave substitution, this team's deep backcourt provided a hint of its substantial potential.
Led by six players in double figures, DePaul blitzed Saint Xavier 124-60 in an exhibition game that revealed the promise that could lie ahead in 2019-20.
Chante Stonewall, one of the top 20 small forwards in the nation, topped the scoring parade with 21 points (7-of-9 shooting), eight rebounds and three steals. Right behind her was Michigan transfer Deja Church who put up 20 points and seven rebounds in her DePaul debut, shooting 7-of-9 including 4-for-4 from three-point land.
Showing signs of emerging in her sophomore season, Sonya Morris finished with 19 points including 5-of-8 from deep. Kelly Campbell, one of the top 20 point guards in the country, was brilliant as usual with 13 points, eight assists, six rebounds and three steals.
Speaking of emerging, Dee Bekelja looks poised for a breakout year. The junior who is seemingly gaining confidence by the day scored 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting to follow up an impressive 23-point performance against NCAA Second Round qualifier Michigan State in a closed scrimmage.
Another guard to keep an eye on is perhaps coach Doug Bruno's best-kept secret, redshirt sophomore Jolene Daninger. Respected as one of the top long-range shooters in the program, the dangerous Daninger went 3-for-4 from beyond the arc and scored 10 points.
DePaul broke the game wide open in the second quarter when it began raining threes in the South Loop. Led by Morris' three consecutive long-distance connections, the Blue Demons knocked down eight from distance in outscoring Saint Xavier 43-16 in the period.
They finished off the half with a 20-4 run and headed to the locker room with a 67-22 lead. Morris had 19 points in the first 20 minutes while Stonewall scored 16 and Church 13.
At that point, Morris, Stonewall and Church were a combined 10-of-13 from behind the arc. That trio along with Campbell would finish the game 14-of-18 on three-pointers.
Bruno's team kept up the torrid pace by opening the third quarter with a 22-9 burst fueled by a 14-0 run. Stonewall and Campbell led the way before heading to the bench after a wave substitution. DePaul built a 95-44 cushion heading into the fourth quarter.
Looking to work out the kinks, Bruno & Co. opened the game with a 12-2 run led by Church and Morris. Before long, Lexi Held joined the scoring parade.
A 10-2 Blue Demon burst increased the lead to 22-4, and the home team finished the first quarter with a 24-6 advantage. Church had seven points and five rebounds in the first 10 minutes while Morris added six point and Held five.
DePaul will have a nice break to get ready for its season opener Nov. 8 against Miami (Ohio) in the first round of the Preseason WNIT at Wintrust Arena.
Postgame Notes
- DePaul shot 55.3 percent from three-point range and 54.1 percent overall. The home team was 8-for-12 from deep in the second quarter.
- The Blue Demons outrebounded Saint Xavier 54-35 and forced 26 turnovers.
- DePaul's bench contributed a total of 42 points on the night.
- Stonewall and Church were both 7-for-9 from the floor with Stonewall making all five of her free throws and Church both of hers. That meant each Blue Demon only missed two shots apiece the entire night.
Team Stats
SXU
DePaul
FG%
.360
.541
3FG%
.160
.553
FT%
.500
.786
RB
35
54
TO
26
20
STL
17
17
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
21
FGM
7
3FGM
2
FTM
5
Pts
20
FGM
7
3FGM
4
FTM
2
Pts
19
FGM
6
3FGM
5
FTM
2
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
Guard
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