Inspiring Performance Not Quite Enough for DePaul

Sunday, February 3

McGrath-Phillips Arena

1:00 P.M. CT

DePaul University

Marquette

DePaul

Inspiring Performance Not Quite Enough for DePaul

2/3/2019 4:39:00 PM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

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Second-half comeback falls short in 93-87 loss to No. 10/9 Marquette on Sunday

CHICAGO – It was a battle royale of the best in the BIG EAST Sunday with a boisterous crowd at McGrath-Phillips Arena screaming at every big play.

But despite perhaps its best effort of the conference season, DePaul came up a little short in a 93-87 loss to No. 10/9 Marquette.

Chante Stonewall gave her team a lift at key moments throughout the game and finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds---her fifth double-double of the season. Ashton Millender scored 19 points while Rebekah Dahlman added 13 points including three clutch shots from behind the arc.

A foul-plagued Mart'e Grays still managed 11 points in less than 17 minutes before fouling out in the fourth quarter. Freshman Maya Stovall had her coming-of-age game with season highs of 10 points and nine assists.

Freshman Lexi Held's three-pointer on a nice dish from Grays made it a one-point game at the beginning of the fourth quarter. The Marquette lead went back and forth between three and five points.

Trailing by seven, Stovall hit a big three-pointer and followed up with a steal on the next play. That led to a Millender post-up score and it was 78-76 at the media timeout.

Lincoln Park became "Tension City" as these two powers scratched and clawed down to the wire. Millender, Kelly Campbell and Dahlman again with another three tied it at 83-83 with more than two minutes left. Allazia Blockton's three-point play with 2:00 on the clock gave the visiting team an 86-83 lead. Blockton had a game-high 25 points.

Erika Davenport's free throws upped the deficit to five. Dahlman's driving layup with :32 to go made it 88-85. Marquette free throws down the stretch clinched its 10th-straight win.

DePaul (15-7, 6-4 in the BIG EAST) came out in the second half looking to slice into a 12-point deficit. Down by 11, Millender hit three shots in a row and Stonewall converted a three-pointer as the Blue Demon burst made it 49-44 at the media timeout. Both had made six of their first 10 shots at that point with Millender going 3-for-4 from deep. Stonewall finished 8-of-12 from the field.

Dahlman hit a pair of three-pointers down the stretch of the third period, Grays hit from distance and Held converted a gritty three-point play. Held's buzzer-beating rebound put-back completed the rally as DePaul went into the final 10 minutes within 68-64. The 37 points in the third quarter was the second-highest total in a period this season.

In addition, Marquette's best player Natisha Hiedeman was sidelined at the outset of the final period with four fouls.

The pace was fast and furious right from the opening tip as both high-powered offenses raced up and down the court. Stonewall scored eight quick points and Stovall hit a long three-pointer for a 13-12 DePaul lead.

Marquette (19-3, 10-0) answered with 10 points in a row in assuming a 22-13 advantage. Millender snapped the streak and Kelly Campbell followed up with a tough layup in traffic to bring their team within 22-17 after the first quarter.

Stovall's breakaway layup cut the deficit to three at the outset of the second quarter. The Golden Eagles scored the next six. Coach Doug Bruno's team cut into the lead with a Millender three and Dee Bekelja's free throw, and it was 30-25 at the media timeout.

Stovall seemed to be in her element as a quick speedster who excels in an up-tempo environment. Her quickness was an asset against a fast-moving Golden Eagles team.

Marquette closed out the second quarter with a 9-2 run and led 39-27 at halftime. Foul trouble limited Grays to just four minutes of playing time in the first half.

Stonewall had 12 points and six rebounds by the break and Stovall had contributed five points and four assists.

The Blue Demons return to BIG EAST action on Friday at McGrath-Phillips Arena for a 7 p.m. game against Villanova that will be televised by NBC Sports Chicago Plus.

Postgame Notes

Stovall had season highs with 10 points and nine assists.
Stonewall notched her fifth double-double of the season.
The 37 points in the third quarter was the second-highest total in a period this season.
Millender has made a three-pointer in 35 consecutive games dating back to Feb. 4, 2018.
Millender (1,242 points) is No. 23 on the all-time scoring list. Sam Quigley is No. 22 at 1,273.
With 260 career three-pointers, Millender is No. 3 all-time. Brittany Hrynko is No. 2 at 281 and all-time leader Lenae Williams finished with 303.
Millender (698) is No. 2 all-time in career three-point attempts. Williams set the career mark with 924.
Campbell (404) is No. 8 all-time in assists with Allie Quigley No. 7 at 427.