DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
11-12,3-7Big East
Butler
9-12,1-9Big East
Four in Double Figures Leads DePaul Past Butler
1/31/2024 8:01:00 PM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Peoples leads the Blue Demons with 24 points
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – A decisive second quarter powered DePaul women's basketball past Butler on Wednesday evening 67-57 at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Blue Demons made their first five field goal attempts in the second stanza and ultimately outscored the Bulldogs 19-6 to turn a seven-point deficit into a six-point lead that remained for good.
Four starters finished in double figures led by a 24-point performance from Anaya Peoples. An 11-point third quarter pushed Peoples to her 10th 20-point outing on the year to go with five rebounds, four steals and three assists.
Jorie Allen added 12 points while grabbing seven rebounds and three steals. Michelle Sidor and Maeve McErlane added 10 points apiece. Sidor posted a career-high seven rebounds in addition to two assists and two steals.
DePaul (11-12, 3-7 BIG EAST) outrebounded the Bulldogs 32-29 in addition to recording their best shooting outing in league action this season, going 28-60 from the field (.467).
Caroline Strande led Butler with 12 points.
How it Happened
DePaul opened the game on an 8-2 run after a pair of steals were converted to three-point field goals from McErlane and Sidor. The Bulldogs answered with a 12-0 spurt of their own to take an 16-10 edge before a Peoples layup halted the run. Butler held a 21-14 lead after the first 10 minutes.
The Blue Demons made their first five field goals of the second quarter to reclaim the lead 24-23, on a Gilbert turnaround jumper. McErlane's second three on the night gave DePaul an eight point lead before heading into half in front 33-27. The second quarter margin was 19-6 in favor of the visitors.
Four players had six or more points at the break led by Sidor's seven.
Kate Clarke found Peoples underneath the basket to end a three-minute scoring drought for the Blue Demons in the third.
Allen converted her fourth field goal of the game followed by a Sidor three in transition to put DePaul in front by 10, 47-37, for its largest lead of the game. The Blue Demons held a 51-42 advantage heading into the fourth quarter. Peoples went 5-for-5 from the field in the third with 11 points, one assists, one rebound and one steal.
Butler scored seven unanswered to crawl back within six with 2:15 remaining in the fourth. The Blue Demons found answers as McErlane and Peoples both made acrobatic shots on the next two possessions to push the lead back to 10. Allen knocked in four free throws down the stretch to seal the deal and snap DePaul's three-game skid.
Up Next
DePaul will continue its road swing with a trip to Georgetown on Sunday, Feb. 4. Tipoff from McDonough Arena is set for 1 p.m. CT with coverage on FloHoops.
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