#25 DePaul Buries Seton Hall

CHICAGO- The DePaul Blue Demons got its very own stimulus package Wednesday night at McGrath Arena.

Deirdre Naughton, recovering from an illness, scored 17 points to lead a balanced attack as the Demons trampled Seton Hall 80-39.

Naughton, 3-22 from the field including 0-8 from three-point range in her last two games, scored seven of her team’s first 13 points as DePaul (19-6, 7-4) jumped out to a 13-4 lead. She was 8-13 from the field for the game to go along with four assists and three steals.

“I have been struggling the past few games so I think it gives any shooter a lot of confidence to hit their first few shots, whether it’s a lay up, a jumper or a three,” Naughton said. “It was a confidence booster for everyone coming off a loss at Notre Dame. It gives us a lot of confidence and it gives me some confidence as well.”

DePaul’s pressing half court and full court defense wreaked havoc throughout the game, resulting in 19 steals, six by Felicia Chester, and 33 points off 28 Pirate turnovers. The Demons also blocked seven shots.

“We thought this was a team that would be vulnerable to pressure,“ DePaul head coach Doug Bruno said. “Our players were ready for the Seton Hall ball screens. We got more steals in the half court than in the open court. The players were energized and ready to defend. “

Natasha Williams and Keisha Hampton had 10 points each for DePaul. Holly Medley scored nine points and China Threatt added eight points.

Threatt, coming off ACL repair last April, said “the first half of the season I was kind of shaky on [the knee]. I was not really confident in how strong it was. I don’t worry about the knee anymore.”

DePaul now leads the series 4-1.

The Pirates are now 2-108 all-time in away games against AP Top 25 teams.

Seton Hall (15-9, 3-8) was led by Noteisha Womack and Kandice Green who each scored eight points.

The Demons travel to play Villanova this Saturday.