Ellis' Career Night Not Enough

Jan. 7, 2006

MILWAUKEE - Freshman Krystal Ellis scored a career-high 17 points but it was not enough as Marquette dropped a 67-52 decision at home to #13/11 DePaul. Ellis was 7-for-13 from the floor, including 3-for-6 from the perimeter. She also added four rebounds and four assists in 28 minutes of action.

The loss was Marquette's second straight, falling to 10-3 overall and 1-1 in BIG EAST play on the season.

After a Danielle Kamm tip-in made it 7-7 just under 4:00 into the game, the Golden Eagles went cold and struggled to find a rhythm. DePaul went on a 12-0 run, taking a 21-7 lead. Christina Quaye finally got Marquette back on the board with a jumper with 9:32 left in the first. Kamm added a trey to cut the Blue Demons' lead to 12 (23-11), but DePaul ended the half with a 7-3 run and took a 12-point advantage, 30-17, at halftime.

"All credit goes to DePaul, they bring their fire. They are really playing great and representing the BIG EAST with a good win." said head coach Terri Mitchell. "We certainly can't expect to play the first half we played, and beat DePaul."

"Our slow start affected the team. It was not the effort - they had the heart and determination and no one gave up - but heart and determination does not win us the game." Mitchell added.

DePaul made 12 of its 33 attempts in the first half and forced 16 Marquette turnovers holding the Golden Eagles to shoot only 25.9 percent from the field (7 of 27). However, Marquette held the first half rebounding advantage, 22-18.

The Blue Demons extended their lead to 21 points (40-19) with just under 16 minutes to play in the game after another 10-2 run. The Golden Eagles only basket in that stretch came from Quaye.

Sparked by a trey from Ellis, Marquette mounted a 9-2 run over next three minutes to come within 14 points, but the Blue Demons responded with back-to-back buckets to put the score at 58-42, with 3:26 remaining in the game. The Golden Eagles never came within more than 11 points the rest of the way.

The Blue Demons shot 43.3 percent (26 of 60) from the field for the game, including 51.9 percent in the second frame on 14-of-27 shooting. DePaul forced 23 Marquette turnovers and recorded 26 points off those miscues.

The Golden Eagles made just 20 of their 60 total attempts for the game. Even with in improvement in the second half with 13 of 32 shooting from the field Marquette was never able to overcome the first half deficit. They were outrebounded, 37-36.

Carolyn Kieger was the only other Marquette player in double-figures, with 11 points. The senior point guard also had five assists and eight turnovers. Quaye had nine points and seven rebounds. DePaul All-American Khara Smith had 29 points and 10 rebounds.

"They were denying Carolyn and we had to have other people initiating offense." Mitchell explained. "Our frustration mounted and became contagious. But we are going to regroup and get after it in practice and come ready to play against Notre Dame." Mitchell said.

The Golden Eagles will be back in action at Notre Dame on Tuesday, January 10. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.