Photo by CSOM Sports
DePaul women's basketball erased a 22-point deficit but couldn't complete the comeback in an 80-73 loss to No. 11 seed Xavier in the first round of the 2025 BIG EAST Tournament.
The 2024-25 season has been a challenging one to say the least for the Blue Demons. Climbing back into the game against Xavier would be no different for DePaul. The Blue Demons proceeded to battle back and tied the game 62-62 with five minutes left to play.
Coach Jill M. Pizzotti spoke to CSOM Sports about the challenges DePaul faced this season, “Our team was dealt with adversity in September when Coach [Doug Bruno] was on medical leave. They’ve been used to dealing with adversity and just fighting through it.”
The Blue Demons dominated in the paint, outscoring the Musketeers 40-16, while claiming the advantage in second-chance points (21-2) behind 15 offensive rebounds. DePaul would finish the game shooting 47% from the field and 50% from behind the arc.
Graduate student Jorie Allen recorded her third double-double of the season to lead the Blue Demons with 28 points and 12 rebounds. Allen finished in double figures in all 32 games in her final season at DePaul.
Aizhanique Mayo and Meri Kanerva combined to score 55 of Xavier's 80 points. The Musketeers shot 45% from three, connecting on 11/24 attempts.
Xavier (7-23) advances to the quarterfinals of the BIG EAST Tournament vs. No. 3 seed Seton Hall (21-8) on Saturday night.
The Blue Demons end their season with a (13-19) record including an (8-10) mark in conference play.