DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
1-1,0-0Big East
UNLV
2-0,0-0Mountain West
DePaul Falls Short at UNLV
11/9/2025 6:19:00 PM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Kate Novik leads DePaul with 20 points
LAS VEGAS – DePaul women's basketball dropped an 85-78 decision to Mountain West Conference preseason favorite UNLV on Sunday afternoon at Cox Pavilion. The Blue Demons got off to a strong start, leading after the first quarter, but struggled to find offensive consistency in the second quarter, allowing the Rebels to take control of the contest.
Kate Novik led DePaul with 20 points on the afternoon, her 39th career game in double figures, to go with six rebounds and five assists. Sophomore guard Natiah Nelson recorded a career high for the second straight game with 17 points on 75-percent shooting from the field, adding six rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Ally Timm was the third Blue Demon to finish in double figures with 13 points of her own.
As a team, DePaul turned 12 UNLV turnovers into 16 points and shot 47 percent from three-point range, knocking down 7 of 15 attempts.
Aaliyah Alexander and Meadow Roland had 18 points apiece to lead UNLV.
How it Happened
DePaul opened the game on a 9-2 run behind baskets from four different players. UNLV answered by converting on four of its next five field goals to come within a pair, 11-9, at the media timeout. Novik scored six straight points for DePaul before Gina Davorija knocked down the first triple of her career to put the Blue Demons on top, 20-18, with two minutes remaining. Odom netted a pair of free throws before time expired as DePaul led 26-24 after the first 10 minutes. The Blue Demons shot 58 percent in the opening quarter.
Timm's midrange jumper brought DePaul back within a point with two minutes left in the first half before UNLV's first three of the contest stretched its lead to four. The Rebels held a 40-36 edge at intermission, with Novik tallying a team-best 10 points at the break.
Nelson converted a three-point play to trim DePaul's deficit back to one midway through the third quarter, 51-50. A minute later, Timm connected on a floater in the lane to give the Blue Demons their first lead since the opening half. The Rebels used a 12-2 run to close the quarter and take a 63-54 lead into the final period.
Made baskets in quick succession from Timm and West helped DePaul come within five, 68-63, with 6:43 left in the game. A second-chance bucket from UNLV's Alexander widened the lead back to three possessions before Novik's second three of the game brought DePaul within arm's length, 80-76, with 1:17 remaining. The Blue Demons got within two with 40 seconds left, but the Rebels converted from distance on the ensuing possession to seal the victory.
Up Next
The Blue Demons make the trip downstate to face Bradley on Wednesday, Nov. 12. Tipoff at Carver Arena is set for 5 p.m. with coverage available on ESPN+.
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