Sunday, December 1
Evanston, Ill.
2:00 P.M. CT
DePaul University
at
Northwestern
Unbeaten Northwestern Next Hurdle for No. 16/17 DePaul
11/30/2019 1:07:00 PM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Blue Demons' potent attack clashes with NU's stingy defense Sunday in Evanston
CHICAGO – Something has to give in the Sunday showdown at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston.
On one hand, you have No. 16/17 DePaul averaging more than 91 points per game and leading the country in assists heading into the Thanksgiving break.
On the other hand, you have an efficient and dangerous Northwestern team that is receiving votes in both national polls and holding opponents to just 47.2 points a game.
And adding to all the matinee drama at 2 p.m. televised on the BTN+ network, legendary DePaul coach Doug Bruno will be shooting for win No. 700 in his iconic Hall-of-Fame career.
Every single one of those victories came while heading up his alma mater---the only place he's been a collegiate head coach. Just two others in Division I have reached that milestone at only one school--- Geno Auriemma at Connecticut and Harry Perretta at Villanova.
When asked by the media to reflect on his career, Bruno recalled his first loss before the first win which came on Jan. 7, 1976 at home in a 66-58 decision over North Park.
He realizes his next win won't come easy.
Northwestern is unbeaten with victories over Loyola Maryland, Valparaiso and Colgate plus impressive road decisions over Marquette and Duke. The Wildcats are doing it with defense, holding opponents to less than 48 points a game. NU's offense is scoring at a 67.2 clip.
Lindsey Pulliam tops NU in scoring at 17.8 points a game while 6-foot, 4-inch Abbie Wolf is averaging 12.6 points and 7.6 rebounds. Abi Scheid is scoring 11.6 points a game and shooting 41.4 percent from behind the arc.
Another contrast between these two local rivals surfaces in ball control. The Blue Demons are forcing an impressive 24.3 turnovers per game including 23 against then-No. 16/17 Miami and 20 versus then No. 6/5 Oregon State
Meanwhile, Northwestern is committing just 11.8 a game.
The Wildcats will have to contend with a "DePaulBall" attack that is averaging 91.3 points a game---No. 6 in the nation. The Blue Demons are connecting on 12 three-pointers per game which is second in the country. Their 72 three-pointers are No. 3 in NCAA Division I.
Senior forward Chante Stonewall leads the team at 17.3 points and 6.7 rebounds a game along with nearly four steals a game.
Sophomores Sonya Morris (15.5 points) and Lexi Held (13.8 points) have elevated their games and shown improvement in a number of areas since their rookie year.
Morris tops the team and the BIG EAST in free throw percentage at 12-of-13 (.923) while Held is the most accurate marksman converting 50 percent of her shots.
Senior point guard Kelly Campbell is DePaul's most accurate long-range threat knocking down 12-of-25 from behind the arc for a sizzling 48 percent. She is also the leading facilitator with 5.7 assists per game and No. 4 in the nation in assist-turnover ratio.
So, take your pick---DePaul's offense or Northwestern's defense. Whether you wear scarlet and blue or purple---sit back, relax and strap pit down for a memorable Sunday afternoon in Evanston.
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On one hand, you have No. 16/17 DePaul averaging more than 91 points per game and leading the country in assists heading into the Thanksgiving break.
On the other hand, you have an efficient and dangerous Northwestern team that is receiving votes in both national polls and holding opponents to just 47.2 points a game.
And adding to all the matinee drama at 2 p.m. televised on the BTN+ network, legendary DePaul coach Doug Bruno will be shooting for win No. 700 in his iconic Hall-of-Fame career.
Every single one of those victories came while heading up his alma mater---the only place he's been a collegiate head coach. Just two others in Division I have reached that milestone at only one school--- Geno Auriemma at Connecticut and Harry Perretta at Villanova.
When asked by the media to reflect on his career, Bruno recalled his first loss before the first win which came on Jan. 7, 1976 at home in a 66-58 decision over North Park.
He realizes his next win won't come easy.
Northwestern is unbeaten with victories over Loyola Maryland, Valparaiso and Colgate plus impressive road decisions over Marquette and Duke. The Wildcats are doing it with defense, holding opponents to less than 48 points a game. NU's offense is scoring at a 67.2 clip.
Lindsey Pulliam tops NU in scoring at 17.8 points a game while 6-foot, 4-inch Abbie Wolf is averaging 12.6 points and 7.6 rebounds. Abi Scheid is scoring 11.6 points a game and shooting 41.4 percent from behind the arc.
Another contrast between these two local rivals surfaces in ball control. The Blue Demons are forcing an impressive 24.3 turnovers per game including 23 against then-No. 16/17 Miami and 20 versus then No. 6/5 Oregon State
Meanwhile, Northwestern is committing just 11.8 a game.
The Wildcats will have to contend with a "DePaulBall" attack that is averaging 91.3 points a game---No. 6 in the nation. The Blue Demons are connecting on 12 three-pointers per game which is second in the country. Their 72 three-pointers are No. 3 in NCAA Division I.
Senior forward Chante Stonewall leads the team at 17.3 points and 6.7 rebounds a game along with nearly four steals a game.
Sophomores Sonya Morris (15.5 points) and Lexi Held (13.8 points) have elevated their games and shown improvement in a number of areas since their rookie year.
Morris tops the team and the BIG EAST in free throw percentage at 12-of-13 (.923) while Held is the most accurate marksman converting 50 percent of her shots.
Senior point guard Kelly Campbell is DePaul's most accurate long-range threat knocking down 12-of-25 from behind the arc for a sizzling 48 percent. She is also the leading facilitator with 5.7 assists per game and No. 4 in the nation in assist-turnover ratio.
So, take your pick---DePaul's offense or Northwestern's defense. Whether you wear scarlet and blue or purple---sit back, relax and strap pit down for a memorable Sunday afternoon in Evanston.
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Players Mentioned
Guard
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Guard
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Forward
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