Tiger women chew up Big Red

Thursday, January 17, 2013
DePauw senior Ellie Pearson deflects a pass from Denison sophomore Mary Margaret Habel. Pearson had four steals and eight rebounds in the win. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

The DePauw women's basketball team might not be the best team in the country. They're undefeated, and they've been ranked No. 1 for most of the year, but it won't be confirmed until March.

But after an 85-48 dismissal of visiting Denison on Wednesday, it's becoming pretty clear that the only team that will challenge DePauw until the postseason is itself.

"I guess I'd say we're kind of chasing at perfection in a sense," DPU coach Kris Huffman said. "And we'll never get there, so we really evaluate every possession and not the scoreboard so much.

"We know that any team left on the schedule can beat us, so we're trying to avoid that letdown."

The only chance the Big Red had on Wednesday came when the Tigers had all five starters off the floor, but even then Denison had to fight just to stay even.

When seniors Kate Walker and Ellie Pearson, junior Ali Ross and Alex Gasaway and sophomore Savannah Trees were on the court, it was no contest.

The Tigers played a complete game, forcing Denison into tough shots and turnovers on defense and then getting into the paint with efficiency on offense.

Game-highs went to Gasaway in points (18), Ross in assists (six) and Pearson in rebounds (eight).

DPU's only disadvantage against Denison, it's lack of height in the front court, was turned into a positive when the Tigers showed off their quickness and athleticism.

The hosts had a 34-23 rebounding advantage in the game, outscoring Denison 13-0 in second-chance points.

Huffman said she is trying to keep the team vigilant and focused on execution more than results, but when the results are there it's hard to worry about why.

The Tigers (16-0, 7-0 NCAC) play at Oberlin (7-8, 2-4) Saturday at 1 p.m.

Huffman warned the team not to overlook its opponent.

"We'll have a tough matchup at Oberlin with their offensive scheme. Sometimes it's not about records, it's how you match up with an opponent," Huffman said. "Sometimes their strengths are your weaknesses, and you never know where that's going to take you."



At DePauw
Denison 22 26 -- 48
DePauw 41 44 -- 85

Individual scoring
Denison (8-8, 3-4 NCAC): Habel 4-5 5-6 13, Nuzzo 4-13 2-2 11, Coggins 3-7 1-1 7, Parker 2-4 0-0 6, Love 2-6 0-0 4, Rogers 1-3 1-2 3, Staubach 1-2 0-0 2, Freundlich 1-1 0-0 2, Arter 0-0 0-0 0, Lindquist 0-0 0-0 0, Byrne 0-1 0-0 0, Bryant-Lees 0-0 0-0 0.
DePauw (16-0, 7-0): Gasaway 8-14 1-3 18, Stephens 4-7 2-2 11, Pearson 5-9 0-0 10, Trees 3-7 3-3 9, Walker 4-6 0-0 8, Ross 3-5 0-0 8, Ondik 2-3 0-0 6, Abendroth 2-4 0-0 5, Molloy 2-7 0-0 5, Keller 1-1 0-0 2, Frost 1-1 0-0 2, Stoner 0-0 1-2 1, Francis 0-0 0-0 0, Skordos 0-0 0-0 0, McDonagh 0-0 0-0 0, Hacker 0-0 0-0 0, Lukemeyer 0-1 0-0 0, McGinnis 0-0 0-0 0.

Team scoring (three-pointers)
DEN 18-42 (3-13) 9-11 48, DPU 35-65 (8-16) 7-10 85.

Rebounds (Offensive)
DEN 23 (5), DPU 34 (14).

Turnovers
DEN 23, DPU 10.

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  • YOU may not think they are the best team but these girls rock!

    -- Posted by foxtrotter on Thu, Jan 17, 2013, at 5:49 AM
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