WBB Defeats DePaul in Overtime 88-85

MILWAUKEE — The Marquette women's basketball team (10-4, 3-2 BIG EAST) won an overtime thriller over RV DePaul Wednesday night at the Al McGuire Center, 88-85.

Graduate guard Karissa McLaughlin scored 11 of the team's 15 overtime points, including an 8-for-8 performance from the free throw line in the extra period, to help secure the win.

"I can't tell you how proud I am of this team, coming off the Creighton loss and a very long layoff with COVID," said Marquette head coach Megan Duffy. " The end was very intense. The way we executed down the stretch, the way we sustained the runs. There were huge games by everybody."

After a back-and-forth first half, the Golden Eagles took a 32-25 lead into the locker room. The third quarter was highlighted by runs from both teams, as Marquette used six-straight points from junior forward Chloe Marotta to go on a 10-2 run and open up a 43-32 lead. That was answered by a 12-2 run from the Blue Demons, who led by two at the third quarter break.

With the game tied at 73 apiece, the Golden Eagles had a baseline inbound with 0.4 seconds remaining in regulation. An inbound pass from Chloe Marotta found Lauren Van Kleunen, who tipped it in, but after review the shot was waived off.

Sophomore guard Danyel Middleton earned her first-career double-double, finishing with career highs of 12 points and 10 boards. Five of her points came in the final 1:09 of regulation, as a personal 5-0 run helped swing a two-point DePaul lead into a three-point MU lead late.

McLaughlin finished with a game-high 24 points, while Van Kleunen went for 20.

Marquette held the DePaul offense, which entered the game leading the nation in scoring (92.1 points per game) to just 73 points through four quarters, its second-lowest scoring regulation period of the season.

The Blue Demons were led by Aneesah Morrow, who finished the contest with 21 points and 17 boards.

11 of Marquette's 14 overtime points were scored by Karissa McLaughlin.
Rose Nkumu made the first start of her career and logged career highs of eight points and seven boards in 27 minutes of action.
Danyel Middleton also had career highs in both points (12) and rebounds (10) as she recorded the first double-double of her career.
Chloe Marotta scored a season-high 16 points to go along with seven rebounds, five assists and three steals.
The Golden Eagles went on a 10-2 run early in the third quarter to take an 11-point lead, their largest of the game. That was answered by a 12-2 DePaul run.
MU trailed by as many as seven points at the 6:05 mark of the fourth quarter. It then went on a 10-1 run to take a 65-63 lead.
Middleton fouled out in the final seconds of regulation.
DePaul's Deja Church fouled out with 24 seconds remaining in overtime.
DePaul's Kierra Collier fouled out with 17 seconds remaining in overtime.
The Golden Eagles led 31-25 at halftime. MU is now 43-1 under Coach Duffy when leading at the half.
Marquette is now 31-48 all-time against DePaul.

UP NEXT: Marquette will return to action at the Al McGuire Center on Friday, Jan. 14, when it takes on Georgetown. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on FloHoops.

Keep up with the Marquette women's basketball program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteWBB) and Instagram (@marquettewbb) and `liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteWBB).