Morrow's Career-High 33 Points Leads DePaul Past Butler 103-69

Friday, January 21

Indianapolis, IN

6:00 P.M. CT

DePaul University

15-4,7-1Big East

103

Butler

1-14,0-6Big East

DePaul

103

Butler

Morrow's Career-High 33 Points Leads DePaul Past Butler 103-69

1/21/2022 8:03:00 PM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Blue Demons reach the century mark for a record eighth time this season

INDIANAPOLIS – DePaul came out looking for an early knockout Friday night in its BIG EAST matchup against Butler.

Scoring 51 points in the first half and going on an 18-0 run to close out the third quarter, the Blue Demons improved to 15-4 and 7-1 in the BIG EAST with a 103-69 victory over Butler in the historic Hinkle Fieldhouse.

It was the eighth time DePaul as scored 100 or more in a game---a program record.

Aneesah Morrow led the way once again with a career-high 33 points, 15 rebounds, five steals and four blocks. It was the freshman phenom's 11th consecutive double-double and 14th overall to lead the nation.

Sonya Morris scored 18 points and Deja Church finished with 15 points and seven rebounds. Darrione Rogers came through with 12 points and nine boards while Kierra Collier scored 12 on 4-of-6 shooting from three-point range. Lexi Held contributed nine assists and five steals.

After spotting Butler (1-14, 0-6) the first five points of the game, DePaul came roaring back on a 13-4 run fueled by Morrow's seven points including a three-pointer. Rogers, Morris and Held all added onto the early outburst.

The surge was extended to 17-4 before the Bulldogs finally responded. They came within 17-11 when Morris, Church, Morrow and Kierra Collier with eight-straight for a 25-11 lead after one quarter.

Morrow scored two quick baskets off nice feeds from her teammates, Church buried a pair of free throws, Collier swished another from deep and Church scored again as the visiting team moved out to a 36-21 advantage at the second quarter media timeout.

After picking up her second foul, Morris was a spectator from the bench.

Church knocked down consecutive threes, Collier made it 3-for-3 from three-point land and Morrow scored six points late in the second quarter in powering DePaul to a 51-36 halftime lead.

After the first 20 minutes, Morrow had 19 points on 9-of-12 shooting along with eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks.

Church had 10 points on 3-of-4 shooting while Collier had nine points---all on threes. Morris went into the break with eight points in just six minutes of court time.

A Morrow three-point play, Held's connection from distance and three Morris points left the Blue Demons with a 60-43 advantage at the third quarter media timeout.

Collier swished her fourth-straight shot from behind the arc. Morrow and Church followed with scores for a 67-43 lead. Butler fan off seven unanswered points to draw within 67-50 at the second media timeout.

DePaul responded in a big way, closing out the quarter on an 18-0 run for an 85-50 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

The Blue Demons travel to Cincinnati for a BIG EAST matchup with Xavier on Sunday.

Postgame Notes

The Blue Demons came in leading the country in scoring and second in assists, putting up 1,072 points in their last 11 games---an average of 97.5 per game. They have reached the century mark eight times to set a new season record.
The record was set in 2014-15 (Brittany Hrynko, Jess January, Chanise Jenkins, Megan Rogowski & Co.) and matched by the 2016-17 team featuring January, Brooke Schulte, Jacqui Grant and Amarah Coleman.
Morrow and Church combined to shoot 20-of-27 from the field---74 percent. Church and Collier combined to go 7-of-10 from deep. Morrow's 33 points in a career high.
Morrow came into the game third in the nation in rebounds, first in double-doubles, second in offensive rebounds per game and top five in field goals. She has 11 consecutive double-doubles and 14 on the season.
The 6-1 freshman has 274 points and 175 rebounds in her last 13 games---an average of 21.1 points and 13.5 rebounds.
Rogers was one rebound shy of a double-double.
Morris came into the game third in the nation in field goals and Held was 10th in assists.
Morris is now No. 20 on the all-time scoring list with 1,456 points. Held (1,430 points) is No. 21. Megan Podkowa is No. 19 with 1,481.
Dee Bekelja has played in her 137 games, tying Brooke Schulte and Chante Stonewall for fourth all-time. Ashton Millender holds the record with 144 games.
The Blue Demons are 3-4 against seven NCAA tournament teams---beating then No. 14/14 Kentucky, Northwestern and Rutgers and falling to then-No. 23/17 Texas A&M, No. 4/8 Arizona, No. 20/17 Notre Dame and Marquette.
They are 3-1 against Wildcat teams---beating Kentucky, Northwestern and Villanova and falling to Arizona.
Held is the BIG EAST's active career scoring leader in conference games with 823 points.
Morrow has scored in double figures 18 of the first 19 games of her collegiate career.
The Blue Demons have won the battle of the boards in 15 of 19 games including over Arizona featuring 6-5 Lauren Ware and 6-3 Ariyah Copeland. DePaul outrebounded Butler 47-41 on Friday night.