DURHAM, N.C. – Megan Rogowski knows all about DePaul women’s basketball head coach Doug Bruno’s philosophy of shooting with the greenest light in America. If his players are open, they are encouraged to shoot.
In the second half in the first round of the NCAA tournament against the 10th-seeded Oklahoma, Rogowski struggled with her shot. She was getting open looks, but was 1-6 from 3-point range in the half.
Her shooting slump couldn’t have come at a worse time. The Sooners mounted a 21-point swing and the Blue Demons were on their heals.
Tied at 97 with 48 seconds left in the game, 2-7 from 3-point range would never look better.
Brittany Hrynko drew two Sooner defenders in the paint and dished it out for a wide-open Rogowski in the corner. Rogowski let it go and pushed DePaul’s lead to three, 100-97.
Rogowski’s late three was part of her 24 points and despite blowing a 19-point lead in the second half, No. 23 DePaul edged out a 104-100 victory against Oklahoma in the first round of the NCAA tournament at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
“I felt like every 3-point attempt I took was a clean look,” Rogowski said. “It wasn’t a great pass, but (Brittany) got the ball to me and I was able to knock the shot down.”
The combined 204 points between the teams was the highest scoring regulation game in history of the NCAA women’s tournament.
“The fans love the NCAA tournament because the reality of sports plays itself out in games like this,” Bruno said. “I thought our players did a good job of regrouping down the stretch. With us going up and down the floor 200 times, it’s really a tribute to these players. I’m proud of them.”
DePaul (28-6) led 50-34 at halftime and seemed in full control. However, Oklahoma stormed back over the course of the first ten minutes in the second half. The Sooners cut DePaul’s lead to six, 75-69, with 10:55 left.
Oklahoma (18-15) retook the lead, 80-79, with 8:51 remaining from a Sharane Campbell jumper. Campbell finished with 22 points.
“At halftime, we talked about fighting back,” Oklahoma head coach Sherri Coale said. “We had come back in situations like that before. We talked about taking it possession by possession and defensive pride. We wanted to stand in front of the basketball.”
DePaul’s pressure wasn’t nearly as effective as in the first half and the Sooners were able to capitalize on DePaul’s foul trouble. DePaul forward Jasmine Penny fouled out with nearly 8 minutes remaining and DePaul was forced to play with a smaller lineup.
Oklahoma went 16-17 from the line in the second half after going just 4-5 in the first.
The Sooners took a game-high lead of five, 84-79, with 6:36 remaining. Campbell and Oklahoma senior Aaryn Ellenberg were instrumental in running the Sooners’ fast break.
Ellenberg led all scorers with 36 points. Campbell finished with a double-double, adding 10 rebounds on top of her 22 points.
“I gave it all out there for 40 minutes,” Ellenberg said. “(During the comeback) We just played each possession right and kept getting stops. We played each possession they should be played.”
Hrynko, however, answered with two 3-pointers and the Blue Demons retook the lead, 87-86, with 5:16 left. The junior scored 19 points and finished with five assists.
“In the huddles, we gathered ourselves and let us know that we were still in the game,” Hrynko said. “We knew there was still time and we just had to stay together. We just had to play smart.”
The game continued to be neck-and-neck with each team having the lead in moments. Rogowski also hit two foul shots in the following possession after her 3-pointer to extend DePaul’s lead, 102-97, with 12 seconds left.
Ellenberg hit a 25-foot 3-pointer to cut DePaul’s lead to two, but guard Chanise Jenkins hit two game-clinching free throws. Jenkins had 21 points.
Six players finished in double figures. Megan Podkowa had 13 points and Jessica January scored 14.
DePaul’s up-tempo style started to work midway through the first half. After being tied at 20, DePaul was able to force turnovers and get easy transition points. DePaul forced 11 of Oklahoma’s 16 turnovers before halftime.
January scored 10 of her 14 points in the first half, eight of them coming in the first seven minutes. It was her first ever NCAA tournament appearance.
“I was definitely excited,” January said. “We got off to a fast start so I wanted to keep the momentum going. I was just trying to be as aggressive as possible.”
DePaul closed the first half on a 9-0 run. The Blue Demons advance to play No.7 and second-seeded Duke on Monday at 5:30 p.m. CST.
