DePaul Falls 73-64 at Villanova on Sunday

Sunday, February 20

Villanova, PA

1:00 P.M. CT

DePaul University

21-8,13-5Big East

Villanova

18-7,12-4Big East

DePaul

Villanova

2/20/2022 3:05:00 PM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Morrow breaks DePaul's all-time record for rebounds in a season

VILLANOVA, Pa. – There was no shortage of character and heart in the Blue Demons who battled to the end against Villanova Sunday in a BIG EAST showdown.

DePaul couldn't quite overcome some late deficits in a 73-64 setback at Finneran Pavilion that left coach Doug Bruno's team 21-8 overall and 13-5 in the BIG EAST.

Aneesah Morrow led the way once again with 23 points and 15 rebounds--- her 21st-straight double-double and 24th on the season.

Darrione Rogers came through with her best game in a while with 18 points including 4-of-8 from three-point range. Deja Church added 17 points and eight rebounds.

Morrow scored down low at the outset of the fourth quarter and Maddy Siegrist (25 points) responded to keep her team in front 57-52.

Trailing by eight, Morrow and Church rallied their side with the latter's terrific reverse layup bringing her team within 63-58 at the media timeout.

It was still a five-point game after a Morrow steal and score. But Villanova (18-7, 12-4) closed out the game with an 8-4 run.

The Blue Demons came into the third quarter looking to expand a narrow 36-35 halftime lead. Instead, it was Villanova that moved in front 47-40 at the media timeout. The Wildcats came out of their locker room and went on a 12-4 run.

Coach Doug Bruno plotted a comeback in the timeout huddle.

After being down by 10, the Blue Demons chipped away. Free throws by Morrow and a Collier hard-driving layup brought her team within 55-50 heading into the fourth quarter.

It was an encouraging start. Morrow scored twice down low and Rogers and Church connected from deep for a 10-4 burst right out of the opening tip. Twice, Morrow stole the ball from Maddy Siegrist.

DePaul's full-court pressure initially threw the Wildcats off balance. Rogers and Morrow continued their offensive assault and it was 14-10 at the first quarter media timeout.

Church was on fire, scoring eight-straight DePaul points for a 22-16 lead. Villanova closed the first quarter with back-to-back threes and it was tied 22-22 going into the second quarter.

Church and Rogers each had eight points and Morrow six.

Villanova opened the second quarter with consecutive scores. Church and Rogers retaliated, but the Wildcats took a 31-27 lead into the media timeout.

Back came the Blue Demons led by Rogers, Morrow and Church. Another swish from Rogers, Morrow's tough score inside followed by a three-point play propelled the visiting team to a 34-33 lead.

Church finished off the first-half scoring with a jumper, giving her team a 36-35 lead heading into the locker room.

Rogers (13 points including 3-of-4 shooting from deep), Church (12 points) and Morrow (11 points, 11 rebounds) scored all of DePaul's first-half points. Morrow already had her 21st-straight double-double and 24th on the season.

DePaul is back at Wintrust Arena on Friday for its final home game of the season on Senior Night with Seton Hall visiting the South Loop.

Postgame Notes

Morrow set a new all-time DePaul single-season rebounding record with 401. Diana Vines (1986-87) previously set the standard with 397.
The Blue Demons lead the country in scoring and assists, and have put up 1,970 points in their last 22 games---an average of 89.5 per game. They have reached the century mark nine times to set a new school season record.
The previous record of six 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 came into the game leading the nation in double-doubles, rebounds, rebounds per game and offensive rebounds per game and was second in field goals, third in points and sixth in steals. She now has 21 consecutive double-doubles and 24 on the season. Only three other players in NCAA women's basketball history have recorded 20 or more in a row.
The 6-1 freshman has 267 points and 181 rebounds in her last 11 games---an average of 24.3 points and 16.5 rebounds.
Morrow holds the all-time BIG EAST record (conference games only) for rebounds in a season with 272.
DePaul clinched a bye in the first round of the BIG EAST tournament.
Sonya Morris came into the game fourth in the nation in field goals and 10th in attempts while Held was seventh in assists and Church No. 9 in free throw percentage.
Morris is now No. 13 on the all-time scoring list with 1,604 points. Beth Hasenmiller (1,600) is No. 14. Debra Robinson is No. 15 with 1,592 points and Keisha Hampton (1,574) is No. 16. Mfon Udoka (1,569) is No. 17, Melanie Ehrhardt (1,552) is No. 18 and Held (1,532) is No. 19. Chanise Jenkins is No. 12 with 1,605 points and Chante Stonewall (1,622) is No. 11. JoAnn Feiereisel is No. 10 at 1,630.
Deja Church is now a 1,000-point Blue Demon scorer with 1,051 in three years. She transferred in after playing two seasons at Michigan.
Dee Bekelja has played in 138 games and is tied with Brittany Hrynko for third all-time in DePaul history. Ashton Millender holds the record with 144 games.
The Blue Demons are 3-6 against nine 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, Marquette and No.8/8 UConn twice.
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 927 points.
Morrow has scored in double figures 28 of the first 29 games of her collegiate career.
DePaul is 19-10 outrebounding opponents including Arizona featuring 6-5 Lauren Ware and 6-3 Ariyah Copeland. DePaul won the battle of the boards Sunday 36-30.