DePauw handles Wooster again to advance in NCAC Women's Basketball Tournament

Diana Burgher put in 12 points and pulled down nine rebounds in Tuesday’s afternoon game against Wooster as DePauw (19-7) team once again dominated the Fighting Scots (6-20) 82-47 and progressed to the semifinal of the NCAC Women’s Basketball Tournament.

The Tigers entered Saturday’s contest having already beaten Wooster three days prior in their last home game of the regular season 83-41.

It could’ve been a similar game with similar tactics and gameplan but DePauw head coach Kris Huffman said that, while it was the same opponent, she saw it as just another game and wanted to make it a point to not fall into the trap of doing things the same.

“It’s one that you really have to protect yourself so that you don’t fall into the trap. And so it’s almost trying to get it as a stand-alone game,” Huffman said. “Why were we successful in areas on Saturday so we can apply those forward? We had a similar gameplan but we changed things up a little bit defensively just to show them a different look.

“I thought Wooster played really well. They lit it up from the three-point line, so they had an advantage with the way they shot the basketball.”

Wooster traded points early with the hosts, briefly holding a 7-4 lead before Riley Mont hit a three and Burgher scored off a steal and assist from Ava Hassel to take the lead for good at 9-7.

The lead quickly grew to double figures after a pair of Moira McGinley free throws and the quarter ended with DePauw leading 23-11 after a late Alina Prusko jumper.

The Tigers scored the first 10 points of the second quarter as Mont notched a layup, Hassel added a free throw, Burgher scored twice and Tori Allen hit a three.

Both teams added five-point runs as DePauw took a 38-17 lead into halftime.

The Tigers started the second half the same way they started the second quarter as Hassel scored and added a free throw, Mont hit a three and Burgher and Lydia Stullken added baskets to stretch the lead to 31.

Coach Huffman highlighted Burgher on her performance and the team’s overall performance.

“I was very proud of Diana,” Huffman said. “She played a great overall game. She defended well, obviously got to the boards and she finished. I love the confidence that she played with tonight and that kind of just kind of carried over to the others.

Burgher also spoke about her overall performance throughout the game.

“It was good. I was really excited to play,” Burgher said about the quarterfinal game. “It’s tournament time, so I think everyone’s trying to play their best. I was excited to go out and play today and it worked toward my favor.”

Wooster answered back with three-straight three-point connections, one from Erica Beaty and two from Alexis Lovejoy, the latter adding two more late in the period.

DePauw would still lead by 24 after the high-scoring third quarter and got its reserve players in on the action, eventually building a 38-point lead off a Campbell Schrank jumper, with the final score set at 82-47.

“I say this all the time, I’m so thankful to learn from (Coach Huffman), because she is, like, truly a basketball legend with all her knowledge,” Burgher said about playing and developing under Huffman. “It’s amazing and I take everything that she gives me and try to run with that.”

Burgher then ended up giving thanks to all who supported her and who came to support the team during Tuesday afternoon’s game.

“I love it when we have crowds a lot of our sorority sisters come out which is amazing. The band is so fun to have there. So I really appreciate it.”

The DePauw Tigers will look to keep their home record clean and progress in the tournament as they play in the semifinal at home against Denison on Friday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m. Ohio Wesleyan and Wittenberg will play in the first game of the day at 5 p.m. with the NCAC final scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday.

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