Allen, Johnson-Matthews Guide Blue Demons to Season-Opening Win

Wednesday, November 6

Chicago, Ill.

11 a.m.

DePaul University

1-0,0-0Big East

Mercyhurst

0-2,0-0NEC

Team	1	2	3	4	F
Mercyhurst	16	9	15	13	53
DePaul	21	25	18	10	74

Allen, Johnson-Matthews Guide Blue Demons to Season-Opening Win

11/6/2024 2:01:00 PM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

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Blue Demons use 20-2 second quarter run to start season 1-0

CHICAGO – Powered by a 20-2 run in the second quarter, DePaul women's basketball captured a 74-53 win over Mercyhurst on Wednesday afternoon to open the 2024-25 season. Despite a slow start, the Blue Demons dominated in the paint and cleaned up on the glass to improve to 39-12 all-time in season openers.

Graduate forward Jorie Allen led all scorers with an impressive 21 points on 6-for-9 shooting from the field, to go along with nine rebounds. Taylor Johnson-Matthews added 17 points, four boards, and a pair of steals in her Blue Demon debut.

Redshirt-sophomore Haley Walker shined off the bench with nine points and a career-high 11 rebounds to go with a game-high three steals.

As a team, DePaul (1-0) controlled the paint, 32-8, while also out-rebounding the Lakers 47-22. The Blue Demons turned 20 offensive rebounds into 28 second-chance points.

Three Lakers finished in double figures led by Jenna Van Schaik's 14 points.

How it Happened
Allen scored the first three baskets for the Blue Demons, with two quick layups and a mid-range jump shot. The Lakers added two three-pointers and a pair of free throws to take an 8-7 lead, but layups from Newman, McCline, and Walker put DePaul back in front with 3:03 remaining in the first quarter. A solid defensive effort held the Lakers without a field goal for more than four minutes while the Blue Demons extended their advantage, led by two baskets from Johnson-Matthews. After 10 minutes, DePaul held a 21-16 advantage.

Johnson-Matthews opened the quarter with another pull-up jumper, and consecutive Laker turnovers turned into a quick five points for DePaul. The Blue Demons proceeded to go on a 20-2 scoring run, headlined by three-pointers from freshman Ally Timm and Grace Carstensen. Mercyhurst's Cici Hernandez tallied her second three of the game with three minutes remaining in the half, but Johnson-Matthews drained one of her own, increasing the DePaul lead to 21 at the break.

The Lakers started the third quarter with two threes from Grace Clary, but Allen responded with four points for DePaul. Neither side registered a field goal for nearly a three-minute stretch. After a Mercyhurst basket, DePaul embarked on a 10-0 scoring run, spearheaded by four points each from Allen and Johnson-Matthews.

Mercyhurst opened the fourth quarter on a 9-2 run, before Angelina Smith added a pair of field goals and Allen netted two free throws to close out the 74-53 win for the Blue Demons.

Up Next
DePaul will close its week at Wintrust Arena against the Princeton Tigers on Saturday, November 9. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. CT, with coverage on FloHoops here.

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!

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