More Top Picks Best Microwave Bacon Cookers
player ready...When it comes to putting up points DePaul’s women almost never disappoint.
The nation’s second-most prolific offense hit from inside, beyond the arc and collected 30 points off turnovers in Sunday’s 87-53 Big East quarterfinals victory over Xavier at Allstate Arena.
“Coach gives us an offense to run, but it’s all about the players that run it,” said guard Jessica January, who led a balanced attack with 16 points. “I think we did a good job spacing the floor, attacking and trying to get the rim and also getting it out to our shooters.”
Brittany Hrynko had 13 points while Chanise Jenkins and Brooke Schulte added 12 and 11, respectively, as the defending Big East champs won their fifth straight and beat Xavier for the third time this season.
Guard Aliyah Zantt and Kindell Fincher each had 12 points for the Musketeers (17-14).
DePaul (24-7) faces Villanova — 70-49 winners over Butler on Sunday — in Monday’s semifinal.
The Blue Demons, who average 88.0 points per game, topped 80 points for the 26th time this season
DePaul shook off some early foul trouble to build a 20 point lead at 36-16 by the 5:36 mark.
It was 48-23 at halftime behind as Jenkins calmly hit a 3-pointer just before the buzzer. DePaul’s second-half lead never slipped under 20 and surged past 30 points in the final 10 minutes.
“It’s all about focus this time of the year and I was really proud of our players’ focus and readiness to play,” said DePaul coach Doug Bruno. “No matter what has happened or transpired during the regular season you have to put yourself in a one-in-row mode.”
DePaul shared the regular season league title with Seton Hall but ceded the top seed as the Pirates swept two regular season meetings.
Also Sunday, top-seed Seton Hall advanced with a 77-51 victory over Marquette. The Pirates face St. John’s in Monday’s other semifinal.
The Blue Demons won last year’s regular season and Big East tournament titles for the first time in program history.
DePaul appears likely to gain the program’s 20th straight NCAA berth when the 64-team women’s field is announced later this month.