Blue Demons Open Season Against Mercyhurst

CHICAGO – DePaul women's basketball tips off the 2024-25 season on Wednesday morning when it hosts Mercyhurst at Wintrust Arena. The opener will serve as the program's annual Field Trip Day presented by Wintrust Junior Savers Club with thousands of Chicagoland school children expected to be in attendance.

Wednesday's game will be streamed live on FloHoops with Jason Dorow (play-by-play) and Alexis Ayala (analyst) providing the commentary.

Tickets can be purchased here.

Demon Doings
After a pair of convincing exhibition victories, the Blue Demons take the court for the first time Wednesday with a 2024-25 roster that features eight returners in addition to eight newcomers.

Leading the returners is graduate forward Jorie Allen, a preseason All-BIG EAST Honorable mention selection back for her final year of collegiate eligibility. Last season, Allen averaged 11.1 points and 6.5 rebounds, both career bests. In the preseason exhibitions, the Bedford, Ind. native led the Blue Demons with 22 points and nine rebounds a contest while shooting 62-percent from the field.

Among the fresh faces include a pair of transfers and six true freshmen. Meg Newman and Taylor Johnson-Matthews provide collegiate experience on an otherwise youthful squad, transferring from Alabama and Pearl River Community College, respectively. Newman posted averages of 11.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists across the preseason exhibitions against Lewis and Winona State.

DePaul's 2024-25 schedule will once again be a tough one, with nine scheduled opponents ranked or receiving votes in the AP Preseason Poll.

Mercyhurst Notes
Mercyhurst is in its first year competing in Division I and is 0-1 on the young season after falling to No. 6 Notre Dame in South Bend on Monday.

The Lakers usher in the new era with a group of veteran returners including junior Bailey Kuhns, who averaged a team-best 14.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game a season ago. Mercyhurst welcomed seven newcomers to the program in the offseason to build off their best season in recent history with an 18-11 record in 2023-24.

Head coach Brooklyn Kolheim is in her sixth season leading the program.

Series Stuff
Wednesday's matchup against the Lakers is the first between the two programs. The Blue Demons are 15-3 all-time against the current members of the Northeast Conference.

Season-Opener Success
The Blue Demons are 38-12 all-time in season-openers including 29-9 in the last 38 seasons. DePaul is 4-1 in lid lifters at Wintrust Arena since moving its home venue to the South Loop full time prior to the 2021-22 season.

Up Next
DePaul will round out opening week on Saturday, Nov. 9 when Princeton visits Wintrust Arena. Tipoff from the South Loop is set for 1 p.m. with coverage on FloHoops.

Ticket Information
Season Tickets for the 2024-25 women's basketball season at Wintrust Arena start at $95. Secure your seats today at www.DePaulBlueDemons.com/tickets and commit to DePaul Women's Basketball!

Mobile Passes, Group Outings, Suite Rentals and Single-Game Tickets are on sale now. Fans can stay up-to-date on special ticket offers by signing up for email or text updates from DePaul Athletics.

Follow the Blue Demons
For all the latest information on DePaul Women's Basketball, visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Blue Demons on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

DePaul University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Jorie Allen

Taylor Johnson-Matthews

Meg Newman

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