A last-second layup to end the first quarter by guard Angelina Smith made it a two-possession game. DePaul looked like they had met the moment and brought the requisite energy and aggressiveness needed against another nationally ranked-opponent.

Then came the second quarter where they only scored eight points and the deficit grew into halftime. The second quarter for DePaul has statically been their lowest-scoring quarter this year. After good starts, the team falls into a lull.

“Is it fatigue? I don’t think it’s fatigue, I think it’s important to have the ability to stay focused,” Interim head coach Jill M. Pizzotti said.

When the leading scorer and leader Jorie Allen goes to the bench for rest, the team struggles to find enough scoring. Veterans Maeve McErlane and Kate Clarke could help supplement that when they return from injury.

“I think that’s a part of our challenge, finding scoring in enough places,” Pizzotti said. “We certainly hope to get Kate (Clarke) back soon. If anyone saw her Butler game, you can see she can really have a positive impact for our team.”

The final score reads as a blowout, 84-58, but Interim head coach Jill M. Pizzotti saw this night as a win for women’s basketball at large.

“I thought women’s basketball won tonight,” Pizzotti said.

DePaul set a program record in tonight’s game with a final attendance of 8,503.

“For the number of students we had attend a women’s basketball game. We talked to our players about embracing the opportunity to play one of the best teams,” Pizzotti said. “Enjoy the moment and put our best foot forward and play hard.”

UConn head coach Geno Auriemma shared a similar sentiment postgame.

“I thought everything about tonight was fantastic: the energy in the house, the crowd,” Auriemma said. “This is a special place to play, I’m glad the DePaul kids play like they love playing here.”

With 4:46 left in the game, reserves have entered the game for both sides.

DePaul’s Emory Klatt has gotten into the score sheet off a backdoor cut from nice ball movement. Two freshmen for UConn, guards Allie Ziebell and Morgan Chelli have subbed in.

During the timeout, the PA announcers revealed that tonight’s game was the most attended ever at Wintrust Arena. 8,305 people were in attendance for tonight’s game.

Back-to-back threes coupled with another scoring drought, forces head coach Jill M. Pizzotti to call timeout.

Freshman forward Ellery Minch subbed in late in the third and went 1-2 from three. DePaul was only 6-18 shooting in the third and failed to make any ground.

After three quarters UConn leads DePaul by 28, 65-39.

A 10-0 in the last two minutes has made this a 24-point deficit for DePaul.

DePaul has shown some fight in stints but UConn’s size has begun to take its toll on DePaul’s frontcourt. UConn has cashed in on DePaul’s carelessness for the ball. They are up to 14 points off turnovers.

UConn finishes the first half making five of their last seven heading into halftime up 40-24.

DePaul has still struggled to find their groove offensively. Jorie Allen has reached double figures yet again but has felt the resistance from UConn’s frontcourt — none of her makes have been easy.

Graduate guard Azzi Fudd leads UConn in scoring with 11 points on 4-7.

While shooting 50% from three, DePaul only has four attempts.

A quick run to begin the third could energize this crowd and get the Blue Demons back in this game.

While leading scorer Jorie Allen was off the court getting rest, UConn took a 11-point lead, going on an 8-0 run. DePaul is having trouble getting into the paint and creating open and efficient shots.

Allen looks to be heading back onto the court where she’ll carry the offensive load once again. DePaul has four minutes to climb back into this game.

DePaul trails UConn 22-16 after the first quarter. The decisive stat this quarter was DePaul’s four turnovers to UConn’s two.

Johnson-Matthews leads DePaul with five points with one assist and one steal. Freshman star Sarah Strong leads the way with seven points and three rebounds. Paige Bueckers is only 1-4 shooting so far.

After DePaul started the party with two threes, UConn answered promptly with two of their own. UConn’s size and strength will be a factor all night long.

Entry passes have been sloppy and shots at the rim have been heavily contested with Strong and El Alfy in the frontcourt.

10-8 UConn midway through the first quarter.

DePaul:

• Taylor-Johnson Matthews, Guard
• Sumer Lee, Guard
• Shakara McCline, Guard
• Meg Newman, Forward
• Jorie Allen, Forward

UConn:

• Paige Bueckers, Guard
• Kaitlyn Chen, Guard
• Azzi Fudd, Guard
• Sarah Strong, Forward
• Jana El Alfy, Center

This must’ve been what DePaul Athletics dreamed about when becoming a tenant of Wintrust Arena. A near-sellout crowd on a weekday night. The arena opened in 2017, but has seen little success in getting its students and alumni in seats. Not tonight.

One of the hottest teams in the nation, UConn and their star guard Paige Bueckers, are back in Chicago. An estimated 8,000 tickets have been sold for tonight’s matchup. In one of highest anticipated games on the schedule, both teams look to keep their winning streaks alive and remain in the top four of the conference.

Ten minutes from starters and tipoff.