DePaul Beats Western Michigan, Advances in WNIT

KALAMAZOO, MI - DePaul had three players in double figures and survived a game of runs to post a 69-64 win over Western Michigan in the opening round of the WNIT at University Arena on March 15.

It was DePaul's first postseason victory since an NCAA Tournament win over Arizona State in 1992.

The Blue Demons (18-11) got 17 points from Lenae Williams, 15 from Marta Szumska and 10 from Sylvia Blakeslee. Szumksa and Blakeslee each grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.

The Broncos, who finished the season 18-12, got 16 points from Dionne Lassila and 15 from Kristin Koetsier.

DePaul led for nearly 18 minutes of the first half, building the lead to as much as seven before taking a 33-27 advantage into intermission.

In the second half the game took a see-saw effect as both teams traded the lead. DePaul climbed ahead early to take a nine-point lead at 40-31 before Western Michigan roared back to take a 46-45 advantage at the 13:41 mark.

DePaul then went up by four before the Broncos stormed back again to take a 57-51 lead with 7:43 to play. The Blue Demons answered that and took the lead for good at 60-57 when Szumska banked in a three-point field goal from the top of the key.

Molly Watson, Candis Blankson and Laura Sobieszczyk all hit key free throws down the stretch to ice the victory.

Head coach Doug Bruno's squad now advances to the second round against the winner of the Wisconsin-Fairfield game which was played in Madison, Wis. tonight. The date and time of DePaul's next contest will be announced on Thursday morning.