No. 1 DPU women dominate Wittenberg with defense in 59-38 win
The unanimous No.1-ranked DePauw women's basketball team limited visiting Wittenberg to just 26.5 percent shooting and forced 21 turnovers in its 59-38 win on Wednesday.
The Tigers (15-0, 6-0 NCAC) have relied on offense for much of the season as they've defended their national championship and extended their NCAA-best win streak to 49 games, but winning with defense was a welcome development, DPU coach Kris Huffman said.
"We'd like to do it with our defense and rebounding," she said. "We've made improvements defending the dribble and with ball pressure."
DePauw started in a small hole but put the game away quickly with a 24-5 run midway through the first half.
Juniors Savannah Trees and Hannah Douglas combined for 21 points in the first half and the team made 12-of-22 shots from the field. Wittenberg was just 4-for-21 and had 16 turnovers before the break.
"We're getting a little more comfortable with ourselves and kind of raising the bar on defense," senior Alex Gasaway said. "That's how it should be and that's how it's always been. I think we were uncomfortable with the fact that our offense was having to win games for us."
Gasaway finished with 12 points and tied for the team-high with six rebounds.
She now has 1,002 points in her career.
"I had no idea that was coming," she said. "It's fun to accomplish that and it's nice knowing that my teammates and my coaches helped me get there, and I'm thankful for that.
"I could not have done that without the teammates that I've had the last three years, coach Huffman and coach (Mary) Smith."
Douglas finished with 17 points, the most of her DePauw career, topping the 16 she scored in Saturday's 100-59 win at Kenyon. Gasaway led the team with three assists.
Senior Alison Stephens had four points, six rebounds, two blocks and four steals.
With the game in hand at halftime, DePauw played a deliberate offensive pace, a welcome change from some games early this season when they had to fight for points to stay unbeaten.
"I definitely have noticed in the last couple of games that our defense has taken a step up," Gasaway said. "We still have concepts we need to work on--our gap help isn't always there and our help-side on the baseline isn't always there--but I think our intensity has taken a level up."
DePauw entered the game scoring 75.3 points per game, second-best in school history behind the 2007 national championship team.
Gasaway, who suffered a traumatic knee injury during the title run last season, battled through rehab and has been a leader for this group on her way to becoming the 14th player in DPU history to reach 1,000 points in her career.
Amy Argetsinger (2001-05) is the school recorder holder with 1,447.
"I knew she needed 10 before the game," Huffman said. "She's had a heck of a career. After the injury last year, she's still fighting to get back to full strength. What she's been able to accomplish is incredible."
DePauw will get its next chance to continue its perfect season on Saturday against Ohio Wesleyan at 3 p.m.