UConn routs DePaul by 43, extend matchup streak to 22-straight victories

UConns+Aaliyah+Edwards+defends+DePaul+freshman+guard+Maeve+McErlane+in+the+Blue+Demons+loss+road+loss+to+the+Huskies+Monday+night.

@UConnWBB | Twitter

UConn’s Aaliyah Edwards defends DePaul freshman guard Maeve McErlane in the Blue Demons’ loss road loss to the Huskies Monday night.

Monday’s offensive performance against the UConn Huskies was a season-low for the Blue Demons. The 94-51 loss on the road was the largest lopsided defeat of the season thus far for DePaul.  

DePaul shot an abysmal 26% from the field in the loss, while allowing the Huskies to shoot a field goal percentage of 54%. UConn had four players in double-figures with 6-foot-3 junior Aaliyah Edwards finishing with 23 points and 10 rebounds. 

The overall size and strength from the Huskies was too much for an undersized DePaul team. 

The Blue Demons were outscored in the paint 58-18 and outrebounded 59-32. 

Uconn’s 19-0 run to close the third quarter allowed the Huskies to run away with the game to secure their 11th-straight win. 

Sophomore Aneesah Morrow was not able to replicate her 30-point double-double from last season against the Huskies, but still notched her 17th double-double of the season. Offensively, Morrow struggled to get things going, as she couldn’t find a consistent rhythm, shooting 8-for-26 on the night. 

“She’s out there battling at 5-11 against some really, really strong interior players,” said head coach Doug Bruno. “What did she get out of playing this level of competition? I think it’s always great to see the highest level of competition.” 

UConn head coach Geno Auriemma was short-handed Monday night, only having eight players available, but still secured a lopsided victory. Huskies Sophomore Azzi Fudd and junior Paige Bueckers were the key inactive players for Auriemma’s team. The short bench didn’t stop UConn as they put up 94 points on only four three pointers made.

The UConn head coach credited his team’s level of preparedness after the Monday night victory. 

“This team pays attention,” Auriemma said. “They pay attention to the game plan, who has to be guarded which way, and who doesn’t have to be guarded. When you challenge them, they respond.” 

The Monday matchup was originally scheduled for Jan. 8, but was postponed due to UConn not having enough available players for the original date. 

After the 43-point loss, UConn now holds a 22-1 edge over DePaul in the all-time series, having now won 22 straight. The Blue Demons will host the Huskies in the season’s last game at Wintrust Arena on Feb 25. 

DePaul now drops to 11-10 on the season, and 4-6 in conference play. This is their second three-game skid of the season, and have now lost six out of their last seven. 

The Blue Demons now sit in the seventh spot in the Big East standing, will likely need a miracle to make the NCAA Tournament. 

Next, a trip out to South Orange, NJ awaits the Blue Demons. The matchup against Seton Hall (13-7, 6-4) on Saturday Jan. 28 will be the first of two before the conclusion of the season. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m CST.