DePaul’s Ferocious Comeback Falls Short at Northwestern

Wednesday, December 4

Evanston, Ill.

7 p.m.

DePaul University

3-6,0-0Big East

Northwestern

4-3,0-0Big Ten

DePaul

Northwestern

DePaul’s Ferocious Comeback Falls Short at Northwestern

12/4/2024 9:36:00 PM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

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Taylor Johnson-Matthews nets a career-high 20 points in the loss

EVANSTON, Ill. – Despite a 20-2 run from the latter stages of the third quarter spilling into the fourth, the Blue Demons couldn't overcome a 23-point deficit in a 64-56 decision at Northwestern on the road Wednesday night.

Spearheading DePaul's late run, Taylor Johnson-Matthews notched a career-high 20 points, 16 in the second half, to go along with three rebounds on 9-for-16 shooting. Graduate forward Jorie Allen collected her ninth double-digit scoring performance in as many games, with 13 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.

Redshirt-junior forward Meg Newman secured her first ten-rebound performance as a Blue Demon.

DePaul's defensive effort led to a season-high 14 steals en route to forcing 18 Northwestern turnovers. Allen alongside Charlece Ohiaeri and Shakara McCline grabbed three or more steals apiece.

Northwestern (4-3) was led by Caileigh Walsh with her 14 points.

How It Happened
Both teams began 3-for-7 from the field with the score knotted at six through five minutes. Hitting on four consecutive baskets, the Wildcats took their first lead of the game, 11-6. Three-pointers by Ohiaeri and Carstensen off the bench kept the NU advantage in check, with the first quarter ending in favor of the Wildcats 21-14.

A 13-0 Northwestern scoring run gave way for its largest lead of the evening, 37-18. McCline halted the run with a solo steal and score, followed by four-straight made free throws by Allen. The 'Cats closed the first half up 41-24.

Johnson-Matthews opened the third with two quick baskets, sparking the Blue Demons' 10-0 run to draw within 13, 49-36. The DePaul defense forced six turnovers in a five-minute stretch to swing momentum back to the scarlet and blue. The junior broke a near four-and-half minute scoring drought for the Blue Demons, netting the quarter's final field goal as NU led 58-39 with 10 minutes to play.

Allen and Johnson-Matthews sank 4-of-5 shots to start the fourth quarter, pushing DePaul within 12, 60-48. The Blue Demons hot fourth quarter continued with an 11-0 run, highlighted by a flurry of threes and second-chance points. After going nearly seven minutes without a point, the Wildcats hit four free throws in the final minute to seal the game, 64-56.

Up Next
DePaul rounds out its two-game Big Ten road trip on Sunday, Dec. 8 against Michigan State. The Blue Demons and Spartans tip off at 1 p.m. CT at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Mich, with streaming coverage on Big Ten Plus.

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