Blue Demons Drop Road Contest at Providence 66-60

Wednesday, February 18

Providence, R.I.

6:00 PM

DePaul University

6-22,3-14Big East

Providence

14-14,7-10Big East

DePaul

Providence

Blue Demons Drop Road Contest at Providence 66-60

2/18/2026 8:23:00 PM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Kate Novik posts season-high 23 points in setback

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A sluggish second quarter proved costly for DePaul in a 66-60 loss to Providence on the road Wednesday night. The Blue Demons scored just nine points in the period as the Friars turned a one-point deficit into a six-point lead, which proved to be the difference in the game.

Kate Novik recorded a season-high 23 points, finishing in double figures for the 19th time this season and turning in her third 20-point performance of the year. Novik added five rebounds and five assists.

Natiah Nelson finished in double figures for the third straight game with 10 points to go along with a team-high eight rebounds. Devin Hagemann put together a complete all-around performance with eight points and a career-best seven rebounds to pair with a season-best seven assists.

DePaul (6-22, 3-14 BIG EAST) totaled five blocks on the night, matching its best in a BIG EAST game this season. The Blue Demons also matched their season high on the glass with 45 rebounds. DePaul left points at the free-throw line, going 10-of-23 (43 percent).

Providence (14-14, 7-10 BIG EAST) had three players finish in double figures, led by Orlagh Gormley's 18 points.

How It Happened
The game started at a frenetic pace as the sides traded scores early. The Blue Demons were held scoreless for a three-minute stretch before Novik found Nelson underneath the basket for a bucket to make it 10-8 at the media timeout. DePaul held Providence to just one field goal over the final three minutes of the period and carried a 15-14 edge into the second quarter.

Turnovers caused issues for the Blue Demons, with four in a three-minute span allowing Providence to claim a three-point lead midway through the second quarter, 24-21. After Novik's fourth field goal of the night tied the game at 24, DePaul was held scoreless for the final 3:42 of the period as Providence used a 6-0 run to take its largest lead of the game into halftime, 30-24.

Providence opened the second half on an 8-1 run. Down by as many as 16, the Blue Demons clawed back behind a 10-0 run late in the third quarter to pull within six, 50-44, heading into the fourth.

The fourth quarter started slowly, with the teams combining for just two field goals over the first five minutes. DePaul pulled within one after Novik drove to the basket, converted, and drew the foul. Providence responded with its first three-pointer of the game to push the lead back to two possessions. Novik's triple with 1:19 remaining tied the game for the first time since the second quarter, but the Friars answered once again with a bucket underneath to take the lead for good.

Up Next
Following the two-game road swing, DePaul returns to Wintrust Arena on Sunday, Feb. 22, to host Xavier. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT on ESPN+. The game will serve as Alumni Day for the program.

Single-game tickets for DePaul's final two home contests are available here.

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