DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
0-0,0-0Big East
UIC
0-0,0-0MVC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UIC | 19 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 66 |
| DePaul | 17 | 14 | 23 | 18 | 72 |
Women's Basketball Shows Resilience in Exhibition Against UIC
10/16/2026 10:09:00 PM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO – DePaul women's basketball showed its resilience as a team in the Blue Demons first exhibition outing of the season, with a 72-66 victory over UIC Friday night at McGrath-Phillips Arena. The exhibition served as a part of DePaul's annual Blue Madness, officially introducing both men's and women's basketball teams for the first time.
After missing the entirety of last season, Kate Clarke made an emphatic return to the court with a game-high 21 points, three assists and three steals. Newcomer Zoey Ward had a strong showing with 19 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including a pair of three pointers and five rebounds. Gina Davorija rounded out a trio of DePaul double-digit scorers with 13 points while adding five rebounds and two assists. Freshman Mikaia Litza had nine assists and three steals in her first look at the court, while also adding six points and six rebounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED
UIC jumped out to an early 6-2 lead before extending its advantage to 17-11 late in the first quarter. DePaul chipped away at the deficit, pulling within two to close the period on a Litza layup and Ward jumper. The Flames responded with six unanswered points to open the second quarter, building their largest lead of the game at 25-17. DePaul answered with an 8-2 stretch, highlighted by six points from Davorija, to cut the deficit to one, 29-28, but UIC closed the half on a 7-3 surge to take a 36-31 lead into the break.
UIC pushed its lead to seven early in the third quarter before DePaul's defense took hold, holding the Flames scoreless for more than two minutes as the Blue Demons cut the deficit to two, 43-41. DePaul then forced four UIC turnovers in a two-minute span. Clarke scored seven points in just over a minute, and Davorija followed with a jumper to make it a one-point game. Ward then buried a second-chance three-pointer with 34 seconds left in the quarter, giving DePaul its first lead of the game, 54-53, heading into the fourth.
The Blue Demons carried their momentum into the fourth quarter, opening the period on a 10-2 run to firmly take control. Ward connected on back-to-back baskets before Litza knocked down a pair of free throws, extending DePaul's lead to a game-high nine points, 64-55.
UP NEXT
DePaul prepares to open its 2026-27 season on Tuesday, Nov. 3 against Evansville. The game is set for a 6 p.m. tip from Wintrust Arena on ESPN+.
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
For all the latest information on DePaul Women's Basketball, visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Blue Demons on X, Instagram and Facebook.
TICKET INFORMATION
Season tickets for the 2026-27 DePaul women's basketball season are on sale now, starting at just $125. Season ticket holders receive access to every game at Wintrust Arena and exclusive benefits! Secure your seats today at DePaulBlueDemons.com/Tickets.
