Balanced Scoring Leads DePaul Past Xavier in BIG EAST Opener

Wednesday, December 20

Cincinnati, Ohio

11:00 A.M. CT

DePaul University

8-5,1-0Big East

Xavier

1-9,0-1Big East

Team	1	2	3	4	F
DePaul	24	16	22	14	76
Xavier	9	13	16	17	55

Balanced Scoring Leads DePaul Past Xavier in BIG EAST Opener

12/20/2023 1:04:00 PM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

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Blue Demons move to 1-0 in BIG EAST play behind four in double figures

CINCINNATI – DePaul led from start to finish in a 76-55 victory at Xavier on Wednesday afternoon to open BIG EAST play. Four Blue Demons finished in double figures while 10 scored at least one bucket.

Anaya Peoples finished in double figures for the 12th time in 13 games this season with a game-high 15 points to go with a career-high eight steals, seven rebounds and three assists. Brynn Masikewich and Kate Clarke each netted 11 points with Masikewich recording a career-high on the afternoon.

Graduate guard Katlyn Gilbert impacted all phases of the game with 10 points, eight rebounds, four assists and four steals.

As a team, DePaul (8-5, 1-0 BIG EAST) dished out 20 assists on 29 made field goals for its seventh game of 20 or more assists this season while also claiming the rebounding battle 29-31.

The Blue Demons turned up the defensive pressure, forcing 26 Xavier turnovers and converting 29 points off the miscues.

Tae'lor Purvis and Kaysia Woods led Xavier with nine points apiece.

How it Happened
DePaul started the game on a 12-3 run with baskets from four different players including a pair from Peoples. The Blue Demons held the Musketeers scoreless for a five-and-a-half-minute stretch, extending their lead to 19-3. After a quarter, DePaul held a 24-9 advantage behind 14 points off 11 first quarter turnovers for the Musketeers.

Gilbert converted an and-one at the bucket to give the Blue Demons their largest lead on the afternoon, 30-9, with three minutes gone by in the second quarter. The Musketeers trimmed their deficit down to 14 before Peoples dropped in a midrange jumper and Gilbert netted a pair of free throws to give DePaul a 40-22 lead at the half.

The Blue Demons maintained their stingy defensive mindset to begin the second half, holding Xavier without a field goal for four minutes to widen the margin to 51-26 on a Clarke triple. A Masikewich three closed the scoring summary in the third as the Blue Demons had the upper hand, 62-38, heading into the fourth quarter.

Shakara McCline provided a spark off the bench, scoring on her first two attempts to push the lead to 28 at 6:20 left in the fourth quarter. Despite being outscored by three points in the final frame, DePaul sealed the conference opener to improve to 8-5 on the season and 1-0 in BIG EAST action.

Up Next
DePaul will return home after the holiday break to host its final non-conference contest of the season versus Alcorn State on Thursday, Dec. 28. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. CST on FloHoops.

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2023-24 Ticket Information
Season ticket renewals for the 2023-24 women's basketball season have concluded. Current ticket holders that have yet to renew can call the ticket office to secure new seats for the upcoming season.

Those looking to purchase NEW 2023-24 season tickets can do so online or over the phone by speaking with a DePaul Athletics Ticket Representative. Season Tickets are on sale now and start at just $99 per seat! Celebrate the 50th season of DePaul Women's Basketball and commit to the Blue Demons today!

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Fans can visit DePaulBlueDemons.com/Tickets for more information.