DePaul University Athletics
Monday, November 17
Chicago, Ill.
11:00 AM
DePaul University
1-3,0-0Big East
72
vs
79
Northwestern
4-0,0-0Big Ten
1
2
3
4
F
Northwestern
29
17
21
12
79
DePaul
15
17
16
24
72
DePaul’s Comeback Falls Short in 79-72 Setback To Northwestern
11/17/2025 2:04:00 PM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Novik leads Blue Demons with 18 points
CHICAGO – Despite trimming Northwestern's 19-point lead down to three in the fourth quarter, DePaul women's basketball couldn't overcome a slow start in a 79-72 setback at home Monday afternoon. The Blue Demons fed off the energy of more than 9,500 schoolchildren in attendance for Field Trip Day, helping fuel their late-game run.
Kate Novik led three Blue Demons in double figures with 18 points, nine rebounds and a team-high five assists. Sophomore guard Natiah Nelson registered her fourth-straight game in double digits with 16 points, nine rebounds and two steals. Junior Aizhanique Mayo poured in a season-best 11 points.
DePaul's defensive efforts shone brightly down the stretch, with Alayna West tallying five of the team's 15 steals. The Blue Demons forced Northwestern into a season-high 22 turnovers and converted the miscues into 21 points. DePaul's bench production was its best of the season with 23 points from its reserves.
Grace Sullivan led Northwestern with 26 points, while Carolina Lau added 20 points and nine assists.
How It Happened
Novik opened the scoring for DePaul before the Wildcats responded with ten unanswered to jump out to an early lead. A pair of offensive putbacks closed the gap to eight, but Northwestern used a 5-0 run to end the period with a 29-15 advantage.
Three different Blue Demons scored to begin the second quarter, but Northwestern countered with a flurry of transition baskets. A Mayo three-pointer brought the score within a dozen at 40-28. Nelson led DePaul with eight points on 4-for-7 shooting in the first half as the Blue Demons trailed 46-32 at the break.
DePaul opened the second half with a three-point trip down the floor courtesy of a West free throw and a Justis Odom putback. Both sides traded baskets on four straight possessions before Novik broke the stretch with a layup, followed by a three-point play to make it 56-44. Another Northwestern run followed, but Mayo answered with her third three-pointer of the day to pull DePaul within 63-47. A transition layup by Sullivan pushed the Wildcats' lead to 67-48 heading into the fourth.
The Blue Demons opened the final period with renewed energy, scoring 10 unanswered points led by four from West. Consecutive layups by Nelson brought DePaul within four, 68-64. The Blue Demons held Northwestern without a field goal for the first six minutes of the quarter while forcing nine turnovers during a 17-1 run. Northwestern broke through at the 3:28 mark to extend its lead to 70-65. Both teams traded baskets down the stretch as DePaul ultimately fell 79-72 on Field Trip Day.
Up Next
DePaul will remain at home and host the WellNow Blue Demon Classic Nov. 21-22 when Campbell, Grambling and Northern Colorado visit Chicago. The Blue Demons will face off against Grambling on Friday, Nov. 21 at 5:30 p.m.
Follow the Blue Demons
For all the latest information on DePaul women's basketball, please visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Blue Demons on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Ticket Information
Season tickets for the 2025-26 DePaul women's basketball season are on sale now, starting at just $115. Season ticket holders receive access to every game at Wintrust Arena and exclusive benefits! Secure your seats today at DePaulBlueDemons.com/Tickets.
Group ticket options are also available for parties of 10 or more, making it easy to bring your team, company or friends to a game. Explore all group ticket options at DePaulBlueDemons.com/Groups.
Flex plans, mobile passes and single-game tickets are also on sale. To stay up to date, sign up for DePaul Athletics email updates or text alerts.
Kate Novik led three Blue Demons in double figures with 18 points, nine rebounds and a team-high five assists. Sophomore guard Natiah Nelson registered her fourth-straight game in double digits with 16 points, nine rebounds and two steals. Junior Aizhanique Mayo poured in a season-best 11 points.
DePaul's defensive efforts shone brightly down the stretch, with Alayna West tallying five of the team's 15 steals. The Blue Demons forced Northwestern into a season-high 22 turnovers and converted the miscues into 21 points. DePaul's bench production was its best of the season with 23 points from its reserves.
Grace Sullivan led Northwestern with 26 points, while Carolina Lau added 20 points and nine assists.
How It Happened
Novik opened the scoring for DePaul before the Wildcats responded with ten unanswered to jump out to an early lead. A pair of offensive putbacks closed the gap to eight, but Northwestern used a 5-0 run to end the period with a 29-15 advantage.
Three different Blue Demons scored to begin the second quarter, but Northwestern countered with a flurry of transition baskets. A Mayo three-pointer brought the score within a dozen at 40-28. Nelson led DePaul with eight points on 4-for-7 shooting in the first half as the Blue Demons trailed 46-32 at the break.
DePaul opened the second half with a three-point trip down the floor courtesy of a West free throw and a Justis Odom putback. Both sides traded baskets on four straight possessions before Novik broke the stretch with a layup, followed by a three-point play to make it 56-44. Another Northwestern run followed, but Mayo answered with her third three-pointer of the day to pull DePaul within 63-47. A transition layup by Sullivan pushed the Wildcats' lead to 67-48 heading into the fourth.
The Blue Demons opened the final period with renewed energy, scoring 10 unanswered points led by four from West. Consecutive layups by Nelson brought DePaul within four, 68-64. The Blue Demons held Northwestern without a field goal for the first six minutes of the quarter while forcing nine turnovers during a 17-1 run. Northwestern broke through at the 3:28 mark to extend its lead to 70-65. Both teams traded baskets down the stretch as DePaul ultimately fell 79-72 on Field Trip Day.
Up Next
DePaul will remain at home and host the WellNow Blue Demon Classic Nov. 21-22 when Campbell, Grambling and Northern Colorado visit Chicago. The Blue Demons will face off against Grambling on Friday, Nov. 21 at 5:30 p.m.
Follow the Blue Demons
For all the latest information on DePaul women's basketball, please visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Blue Demons on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Ticket Information
Season tickets for the 2025-26 DePaul women's basketball season are on sale now, starting at just $115. Season ticket holders receive access to every game at Wintrust Arena and exclusive benefits! Secure your seats today at DePaulBlueDemons.com/Tickets.
Group ticket options are also available for parties of 10 or more, making it easy to bring your team, company or friends to a game. Explore all group ticket options at DePaulBlueDemons.com/Groups.
Flex plans, mobile passes and single-game tickets are also on sale. To stay up to date, sign up for DePaul Athletics email updates or text alerts.
Team Stats
NU
DePaul
FG%
.537
.389
3FG%
.400
.167
FT%
.680
.571
RB
45
33
TO
22
13
STL
6
15
Game Leaders
Pts
18
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
16
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
3
FTM
2
Pts
8
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ WOMEN'S BASKETBALLG
/ WOMEN'S BASKETBALLG
/ WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
F
/ WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
G
/ WOMEN'S BASKETBALLDePaul Women’s Basketball vs Northwestern Postgame Press Conference
Monday, November 17
DePaul Women’s Basketball Game Highlights vs. Bradley - 11.12.25
Thursday, November 13
DePaul Women’s Basketball Game Highlights vs. ULNV - 11.9.25
Sunday, November 09
DePaul Women’s Basketball vs Valparaiso Postgame Press Conference
Wednesday, November 05