No. 20 DePaul Uses Fourth-Quarter Surge to Defeat 'Cats

11/19/2016 10:01:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

CHICAGO, Ill. – Lauren Douglas led the Wildcats in scoring for the first time this season, but No. 20 DePaul claimed an 89-66 win over Northwestern on Saturday night.

Senior co-captain Ashley Deary joined Douglas in double figures with 14 points, while junior Lydia Rohde and senior co-captain Christen Inman combined for 16 points.

Douglas opened scoring for the Wildcats as both squads saw back-and-forth action over the first 10 minutes of play. The Blue Demons used a 3-pointer to draw a 7-4 lead just four minutes into the contest, but NU came roaring back to takeover 12-0 with 3:47 remaining in the period. DePaul used a pair of triples at the end of the period to take the lead after 10 minutes, 15-12.

In another hard-fought quarter, the team's kept it close in the early goings of the second frame, but a long ball from Rohde gave Chicago's Big Ten Team a two-point advantage. DePaul leveled the score at 17, but Deary and Douglas teamed up for a pair of layups to extend the 'Cats lead to four, 21-17. NU held on to the lead for the next three minutes until the Blue Demons used a 10-0 run to close out the first half.

Northwestern came out of the halftime break fighting and cut the deficit to five. DePaul was able to muster up back-to-back buckets, but the 'Cats did not back down. NU came within four once again, thanks to a 5-0 surge sparked by freshman Abi Scheid.

The Blue Demons picked up momentum at the end of the third frame and held the Wildcats without consecutive buckets for the remainder of the period.

Northwestern made a late run in the final minutes of the game, but it was not enough as No. 20 DePaul handed the 'Cats their first loss of the year.

For the game, the Wildcats shot 42 percent (25-59) from the floor, including 36 percent (5-14) from long range and 73 percent (11-15) from the charity stripe. The Blue Demons shot 47 percent (32-68) from the field, 43 percent (15-35) from beyond the arc and 71 percent (10-14) from the free-throw line. DePaul won the rebounding battle, 43-33.

The Wildcats will look to rebound as they tip off a four-game homestand against Florida on Friday, Nov. 25, at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Tip is set for 7 p.m.