Clinging to a four point-lead with a minute left, junior guard Brittany Hrynko pushed the pace down the court and drew the look of two defenders on the inside of the paint.
Instead of forcing a shot or passing it back to the wing, Hrynko faked the pass to the outside and caught a cutting Chanise Jenkins for layup. It was perfectly executed that signified the chemistry between the veteran teammates.
On a night where Duquesne University gave the women’s basketball team all they could handle, the Blue Demons made key veteran plays late as DePaul wore down the Dukes Saturday in an 88-77 victory.
With the win, the Blue Demons earned their second victory of the year and also the championship at the Maggie Dixon Classic.
“I was really impressed with the resiliency and the adversity of these players to stay the course and outplay them when we were down early,” Head Coach Doug Bruno said. “In this early season scramble, I was really impressed how this team brought this game home in the last eight minutes.”
It was a tough outing for the Blue Demons in the first half. The team trailed by only a point (39-38) at halftime, but faced a 10-point deficit early on.
Duquesne started off hot, shooting 53 percent in the first half and 43 percent from beyond the arc. Duquesne’s Orsi Szecsi scored 15 of her 20 points in the first half.
However, the Blue Demons came out of halftime with a commitment to defense. The team switched to zone, which proved to be effective. The team forced 23 turnovers, 13 of them in the second half.
Bruno said that the team’s style wore down Duquesne as the game went on.
“The pace of the play was designed so we can make steals,” Bruno said. “(The pace) really forces the legs, they’re not conditioned to shoot under that pace. We’re trying to takeaway shots because they’re not used to playing into that pace Š—ê we’re conditioned to play under that pace. Other teams think they are conditioned to do it but they’re not. We expect their legs to go.”
The team’s offense also came together in the second half. Even while her shot was struggling, Hrynko led the Blue Demons and sparked their offense. Hrynko finished with 21 points, eight rebounds, four assists and seven steals.
“Like Coach (Bruno) always says, ‘If it’s not falling, just look to facilitate,'” Hrynko said. “If I’m not hitting it, just play my game. If I’m open, I’ll take it.”
While Hrynko led the team, Megan Podkowa came through in crucial moments. After Jasmine Penny fouled out of the game, Podkowa subbed in and hit two three-pointers to give the Blue Demons a narrow 64-60 lead.
Podkowa finished with 11 points, including going perfect from downtown (3-3).
“I was open and they left me open,” Podkowa said. “My teammates were able to find me.”
The Blue Demons secured the game by their making free throws. Both teams got plenty of opportunities with 55 fouls being called and 58 foul shots taken between the team.
The amount of fouls called came in large part due to the new rules put in place that banned the use of hands in the post. Over the summer, coaches like Bruno and UConn head coach Geno Auriemma suggested the rule change to speed up the pace of the game.
“This is a year where going to the basket is important,” Bruno said. “There’s going to be a lot of calls and free throws shot. It’s not always perfect, but it’s what we asked for.”
“Last night we won because of our philosophy prevailed, ” Bruno said. “Tonight I thought we won because we had some tough athletes in 7 or 8 minutes that made some really good collegiate basketball plays.”
DePaul’s next game is against Illinois State, Monday, Nov. 18 at McGrath-Phillips Arena.