DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
2-0,0-0Big East
Purdue Fort Wayne
0-2,0-0Horizon
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purdue Fort Wayne | 11 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 62 |
| DePaul | 24 | 21 | 29 | 13 | 87 |
11/6/2026 1:48:00 PM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Blue Demons move to 2-0 on the season
CHICAGO – First year guard Mikaia Litza filled the stat sheet with 17 points, nine assists and four steals, and DePaul controlled the glass from start to finish in an 87-62 win over Purdue Fort Wayne Friday morning at Wintrust Arena.
Playing in front of a Field Trip Day crowd of 8,270 that included students from Chicago Public Schools and across Chicagoland, five Blue Demons reached double figures for the first time since March 3, 2024. DePaul never trailed and pushed its lead to as many as 30 in the fourth quarter.
The Blue Demons outrebounded the Mastodons 60-30, their largest rebounding margin since Jan. 20, 2011. DePaul turned 21 offensive rebounds into a 17-7 edge in second-chance points.
Fourth-year forward Louis Volker had a double-double by halftime and finished with 14 points and a career-high 15 rebounds on 6-of-7 shooting. It was her second double-double of the season and her career, and the second straight game she set a new career high on the boards. Frontcourt mate Zoey Ward added 10 points and 15 rebounds for the 13th double-double of her career, matching her career high in rebounds.
Gina Davorija scored 15 points off the bench with five assists, her second straight game in double figures to open the season. Fifth-year guard Kate Clarke added 12 points for her 23rd career double-figure game. As a team, DePaul assisted on 26 of its 33 field goals, outscored PFW 48-34 in the paint and went 17 of 18 from the free-throw line.
Claire Gregwer led the Mastodons with 15 points.
How It Happened
DePaul (2-0) held Purdue Fort Wayne scoreless for the opening five minutes, building a 9-0 lead before the Mastodons got their first field goal. Ball security was an issue on both sides early, with the teams combining for five turnovers in that stretch. The Blue Demons answered with a second 9-0 run to stretch the margin, getting points from six different players in the first quarter. DePaul led 24-11 after a period.
The Blue Demons picked up where they left off, opening the second quarter on an 8-0 run behind baskets from Volker and Clarke. DePaul stayed aggressive on the glass, matching the visitors total rebound count with its offensive rebounds alone through 15 minutes. The Mastodons closed the half on an 11-4 run to cut the deficit to 45-30 at the break.
The teams traded steals and baskets to open the second half before Litza scored five-straight DePaul points, including an and-one on the break, to push the lead to 20. Ward's putback made it 58-36, and Ofek Talker hit a three for her first career points. The Blue Demons went 9 of 9 from the line in the period, and Litza's second-chance three helped them carry a 74-47 lead into the fourth.
Ally Timm hit her second three of the game early in the fourth quarter, and Clarke's putback 54 seconds later gave DePaul its largest lead at 79-49. Clarke, Volker and Doyinsola Lijirin each had a block in the fourth, and Timm's floater at the horn made the final 87-62.
Postgame Notes
- Five DePaul players scored in double figures for the first time since March 3, 2024, at Villanova.
- DePaul's 60 rebounds were its most since Dec. 16, 2021, against Northern Illinois.
- DePaul had 25 or more assists in back-to-back games for the first time since Dec. 13 and Dec. 17, 2023.
- DePaul's plus-30 rebounding margin (60-30) was its largest since a plus-31 margin on Jan. 20, 2011.
- DePaul's 21 offensive rebounds were its most since Dec. 28, 2023, against Alcorn State.
- Louis Volker had a first-half double-double, the second double-double of the season and her career.
- Her 15 rebounds were a career high, the second straight game she set a new career best.
- Zoey Ward's double-double was the 13th of her career.
- Her 15 rebounds matched her career high.
- Gina Davorija scored in double figures for the fourth time in her career and the second straight game to open the season.
- Kate Clarke scored in double figures for the 23rd time in her career.
- Ofek Talker scored her first career points.
Up Next
The Blue Demons close out a busy opening stretch Sunday when Stonehill visits the South Loop for a 2 p.m. tipoff. Fans can stream the action on ESPN+.
TICKET INFORMATION
Help us complete the DePaul 500! Full season tickets for the 2026-27 DePaul women's basketball season at Wintrust Arena are on sale now, starting at $125 per seat. Special discounts are available for DePaul faculty, staff, retirees and recent graduates (2022-26). Secure your seats today at DePaulBlueDemons.com/Tickets.
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