DePauw women roll to 19-0

DePauw sophomore Savannah Trees scores two of her career-high 21 points against Ohio Wesleyan on Saturday. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

The top-ranked DePauw University women's basketball team cruised to another easy victory on Saturday. Led by sophomore Savannah Trees' career-high 21 points, the Tigers beat Ohio Wesleyan University 85-51

DPU came into the game focused, jumping out to an 8-0 and playing with an uncharacteristic edge.

"I think we were just ready to play knowing that Ohio Wesleyan was coming off a couple great games and we wanted to make sure we got off to a quick start," DePauw coach Kris Huffman said.

Trees dominated the first half on the offensive end. She was 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, scoring 13 of her game-high points, finally displaying the aggressive, all-purpose scoring threat she has been capable of all season.

"I was feeling it in warm-ups, so I thought I'd take advantage of that," Trees said. "I was just trying to take the shots that were open."

While she has the ability to be volume scorer, Huffman said Trees and other players occasional need to have a fire lit under them to get aggressive.

"We've encouraged them to be decisive and aggressive, and she's someone that needs to be reminded occasionally," Huffman said. "She's a heck of an offensive player and we need to keep getting the ball in her hands."

The Tigers, as a team, shot 74.1 percent in the first half, which is, remarkably, below the school record of 75 percent.

Led by Trees, they also made 7-of-8 threes; the lone miss came off an inbounds play with one second remaining in the shot clock.

DPU took its foot off the pedal in the second half, but they were never challenged. Senior Kate Walker and junior Alex Gasaway each joined Trees in double-figures with 10 each.

Senior Kathleen Molloy came off the bench to chip in eight points and seven assists.

"We always have someone that can come in and bring something special, and I thought we had that again today," Huffman said.

The Tigers begin a three-game road trip at Kenyon on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

Notes: Trees became the fourth active DePauw player to have a 20-point game, joining juniors Alex Gasaway (four times) and Ali Ross (twice) and senior Ellie Pearson (once) ... The North Putnam High School girls' basketball team was in attendance and was invited into the DPU locker room speech after the game ... A number of prospective recruits were in attendance.

At DePauw
Ohio Wesleyan 23 28 -- 51
DePauw 49 36 -- 85