Sunday, November 21
Chicago, Ill.
5:00 P.M. CT
DePaul University
vs
Northwestern
Shooting for a Bounce-Back vs. Northwestern on Sunday
11/20/2021 2:02:00 PM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Blue Demons host Big Ten rival with 5 p.m. tip at Wintrust Arena
CHICAGO – To say that Sonya Morris, Lexi Held, Deja Church and all the rest of their perpetual-motion teammates were anxious to lace 'em up soon as possible would be a conspicuous understatement.
Ever since they took it on the chin last Monday at No. 24/17 Texas A&M, coach Doug Bruno's players couldn't wait for their next tipoff.
That moment finally arrives on Sunday when RV/RV DePaul welcomes local rival Northwestern (3-0) to Wintrust Arena for a 5 p.m. nonconference tilt that will be shown on FloSports with Dave Bernhard and Trish Babcock McGraw on the call.
How much of the 95-75 setback at College Station, Texas was simply an off-night? What course corrections did Bruno set in motion with his practices this week?
A return to form from behind the arc would have an immediate impact. Quite uncharacteristically, the Blue Demons (2-1) have fewer three-point attempts and baskets than their opponents.
They are perennially among the nation's leaders in both categories.
Just think---DePaul is averaging 92 points a game while converting just 29.8 percent of its three-pointers. Sophomore Darrione Rogers has been on-target so far making 7-of-14. It's just a matter of time before Held, Morris, Church, Dee Bekelja and Aneesah Morrow find the range.
Defensively, Bruno sets the tone by unleashing his relentless full-court pressure that is forcing opponents into an average of 21 turnovers a game.
The Hall of Fame coach can probably set up his traps and presses allowing players to gamble even more on steals and turnovers now that the athletic 6-foot, 1-inch Morrow is emerging as a reliable fail-safe option. She is No. 2 in the nation in blocked shots per game (4.3) and No. 4 in total blocks with 13---including six against the talented Aggies.
Northwestern, which is receiving votes in the USA Today/Coaches poll, will encounter an adversary with its usual balanced scoring.
It won't be easy for NU coach Joe McKeown and his staff to shut down an offense featuring five players averaging in double figures led by Morrow's 18 points a game.
Church is off to the best start of her DePaul career averaging 17.7 points while Morris is at 15 points a game. Rogers is close to averaging a double-double with 12.7 points and 9.7 rebounds a game. She would love a third-consecutive double-double on Sunday.
Held rounds out the quintet of double-figure scorers at 12.7 points and leads the team in assists. Texas A&M coach Gary Blair was impressed with Held's 19-point performance last Monday and told her in the postgame handshake line that her leadership will take the Blue Demons a long way this season.
The Wildcat attack revolves totally around 5-9 junior guard Veronica Burton who leads the team in six offensive categories including scoring at 19.3 points a game.
She is the most dangerous three-point threat, shooting 69.2 percent from deep (9-of-13). Burton tops the team in assists at 6.7 a game and is a perfect 9-for-9 at the free throw line.
Courtney Shaw, a 6-0 junior forward, is averaging 11.7 points and a team-leading 9.3 rebounds. The 6-3 freshman Caileigh Walsh averages 7.3 points and leads the Cats with eight blocks. NU is averaging 69 points a game and holding opponents to 47.3.
Ever since they took it on the chin last Monday at No. 24/17 Texas A&M, coach Doug Bruno's players couldn't wait for their next tipoff.
That moment finally arrives on Sunday when RV/RV DePaul welcomes local rival Northwestern (3-0) to Wintrust Arena for a 5 p.m. nonconference tilt that will be shown on FloSports with Dave Bernhard and Trish Babcock McGraw on the call.
How much of the 95-75 setback at College Station, Texas was simply an off-night? What course corrections did Bruno set in motion with his practices this week?
A return to form from behind the arc would have an immediate impact. Quite uncharacteristically, the Blue Demons (2-1) have fewer three-point attempts and baskets than their opponents.
They are perennially among the nation's leaders in both categories.
Just think---DePaul is averaging 92 points a game while converting just 29.8 percent of its three-pointers. Sophomore Darrione Rogers has been on-target so far making 7-of-14. It's just a matter of time before Held, Morris, Church, Dee Bekelja and Aneesah Morrow find the range.
Defensively, Bruno sets the tone by unleashing his relentless full-court pressure that is forcing opponents into an average of 21 turnovers a game.
The Hall of Fame coach can probably set up his traps and presses allowing players to gamble even more on steals and turnovers now that the athletic 6-foot, 1-inch Morrow is emerging as a reliable fail-safe option. She is No. 2 in the nation in blocked shots per game (4.3) and No. 4 in total blocks with 13---including six against the talented Aggies.
Northwestern, which is receiving votes in the USA Today/Coaches poll, will encounter an adversary with its usual balanced scoring.
It won't be easy for NU coach Joe McKeown and his staff to shut down an offense featuring five players averaging in double figures led by Morrow's 18 points a game.
Church is off to the best start of her DePaul career averaging 17.7 points while Morris is at 15 points a game. Rogers is close to averaging a double-double with 12.7 points and 9.7 rebounds a game. She would love a third-consecutive double-double on Sunday.
Held rounds out the quintet of double-figure scorers at 12.7 points and leads the team in assists. Texas A&M coach Gary Blair was impressed with Held's 19-point performance last Monday and told her in the postgame handshake line that her leadership will take the Blue Demons a long way this season.
The Wildcat attack revolves totally around 5-9 junior guard Veronica Burton who leads the team in six offensive categories including scoring at 19.3 points a game.
She is the most dangerous three-point threat, shooting 69.2 percent from deep (9-of-13). Burton tops the team in assists at 6.7 a game and is a perfect 9-for-9 at the free throw line.
Courtney Shaw, a 6-0 junior forward, is averaging 11.7 points and a team-leading 9.3 rebounds. The 6-3 freshman Caileigh Walsh averages 7.3 points and leads the Cats with eight blocks. NU is averaging 69 points a game and holding opponents to 47.3.
Players Mentioned
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