DePaul University Athletics
Tuesday, November 4
Chicago, Ill.
6:00 PM
DePaul University
vs
Valparaiso
Women’s Basketball Opens 2025-26 vs. Valparaiso Tuesday
11/3/2025 4:06:00 PM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Blue Demons and Beacons meet at 6 p.m. inside Wintrust Arena
CHICAGO – DePaul women's basketball opens the 2025-26 season on Tuesday evening when Valparaiso visits Wintrust Arena. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.
Max Thoma and Kenny McReynolds will have the call on ESPN+ while Byron Guzman and Laura Vazquez David will cover the contest for Radio DePaul Sports, DePaul's student-run radio station.
Tickets for Tuesday's matchup are available here.
Demon Doings
Tuesday tips off the next chapter in DePaul's storied history as Jill M. Pizzotti, the sixth head coach in the team's history, took over the program in the spring after 15 seasons on the bench with the Blue Demons.
Fans got their first taste of the Blue Demons Oct. 25 when scarlet and blue edged Milwaukee 77-73 in an exhibition matchup at McGrath-Phillips Arena. Against the Panthers, redshirt-freshman Alayna West, who missed last season due to lower-leg injury, led five players in double figures with 14 points to go along with eight assists, six rebounds and four steals. Delaware transfer Michelle Ojo added 12 points on 60-percent shooting from the field in just 12 minutes of action.
Returning seven student-athletes from last season's squad, Pizzotti and her staff worked diligently in the offseason to sign seven newcomers including six transfers and one true freshman. Leading the returning core is senior guard Kate Clarke, a preseason All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention selection, alongside graduate forward Meg Newman. The pair is expected to miss early-season action while working back from injuries.
Joining Ojo in the frontcourt is 6-3 graduate forward Justis Odom in addition to two-time Ohio Valley Conference honoree Kate Novik. Stretch-guard Natiah Nelson is expected to take on a larger role after a strong finish to her freshman campaign in 2024-25.
Redshirt-freshman Ally Timm, Xavier transfer Aizhanique Mayo and junior guard Sumer Lee bolster the backcourt rotation. In the Milwaukee exhibition, Mayo went 4-for-6 from behind the arc.
Scouting Valparaiso
Under first-year head coach, Courtney Boyd, the Beacons enter a new era of basketball behind seven returners from last year's team that went 13-19 and finished eighth in the Missouri Valley Conference. Boyd and her staff welcomed nine newcomers to the fold in the offseason including four freshmen and five transfers. Senior guard Maci Rhoades is Valpo's top returner after averaging 6.5 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in 2024-25.
Lid Lifters
DePaul is 39-12 all-time in season-openers including 30-9 in the last 39 seasons. The Blue Demons are 5-1 in lid lifters at Wintrust Arena since moving its home venue to the South Loop full time prior to the 2021-22 season.
A season ago, Pizzotti led the Blue Demons to a 74-53 victory over Mercyhurst in the campaign opener.
Series Stuff
The Blue Demons are 17-0 all-time against Valparaiso including a 10-0 record in games played in Chicago. Tuesday's matchup will be the first between the two programs since the 2010 season, when DePaul took down the then-Crusaders 84-53 in the season opener.
DePaul is 102-16 all-time against current Missouri Valley Conference programs and are set to face three during its non-conference slate including Bradley, UIC and Valparaiso.
Up Next
DePaul will hit the road to take on Mountain West-favorite UNLV on Sunday, Nov. 9. Tipoff from Cox Pavilion is set for 4 p.m. CT will coverage on the Mountain West Network.
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 now 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.
Max Thoma and Kenny McReynolds will have the call on ESPN+ while Byron Guzman and Laura Vazquez David will cover the contest for Radio DePaul Sports, DePaul's student-run radio station.
Tickets for Tuesday's matchup are available here.
Demon Doings
Tuesday tips off the next chapter in DePaul's storied history as Jill M. Pizzotti, the sixth head coach in the team's history, took over the program in the spring after 15 seasons on the bench with the Blue Demons.
Fans got their first taste of the Blue Demons Oct. 25 when scarlet and blue edged Milwaukee 77-73 in an exhibition matchup at McGrath-Phillips Arena. Against the Panthers, redshirt-freshman Alayna West, who missed last season due to lower-leg injury, led five players in double figures with 14 points to go along with eight assists, six rebounds and four steals. Delaware transfer Michelle Ojo added 12 points on 60-percent shooting from the field in just 12 minutes of action.
Returning seven student-athletes from last season's squad, Pizzotti and her staff worked diligently in the offseason to sign seven newcomers including six transfers and one true freshman. Leading the returning core is senior guard Kate Clarke, a preseason All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention selection, alongside graduate forward Meg Newman. The pair is expected to miss early-season action while working back from injuries.
Joining Ojo in the frontcourt is 6-3 graduate forward Justis Odom in addition to two-time Ohio Valley Conference honoree Kate Novik. Stretch-guard Natiah Nelson is expected to take on a larger role after a strong finish to her freshman campaign in 2024-25.
Redshirt-freshman Ally Timm, Xavier transfer Aizhanique Mayo and junior guard Sumer Lee bolster the backcourt rotation. In the Milwaukee exhibition, Mayo went 4-for-6 from behind the arc.
Scouting Valparaiso
Under first-year head coach, Courtney Boyd, the Beacons enter a new era of basketball behind seven returners from last year's team that went 13-19 and finished eighth in the Missouri Valley Conference. Boyd and her staff welcomed nine newcomers to the fold in the offseason including four freshmen and five transfers. Senior guard Maci Rhoades is Valpo's top returner after averaging 6.5 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in 2024-25.
Lid Lifters
DePaul is 39-12 all-time in season-openers including 30-9 in the last 39 seasons. The Blue Demons are 5-1 in lid lifters at Wintrust Arena since moving its home venue to the South Loop full time prior to the 2021-22 season.
A season ago, Pizzotti led the Blue Demons to a 74-53 victory over Mercyhurst in the campaign opener.
Series Stuff
The Blue Demons are 17-0 all-time against Valparaiso including a 10-0 record in games played in Chicago. Tuesday's matchup will be the first between the two programs since the 2010 season, when DePaul took down the then-Crusaders 84-53 in the season opener.
DePaul is 102-16 all-time against current Missouri Valley Conference programs and are set to face three during its non-conference slate including Bradley, UIC and Valparaiso.
Up Next
DePaul will hit the road to take on Mountain West-favorite UNLV on Sunday, Nov. 9. Tipoff from Cox Pavilion is set for 4 p.m. CT will coverage on the Mountain West Network.
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 now 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.
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/ WOMEN'S BASKETBALLJill Pizzotti Postgame Press Conference vs. Milwaukee 10.25.25
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