Despite strong performances from Kate Clarke and Katlyn Gilbert, who each chipped in 18 points, it wasn’t enough to counter the Hall’s collective effort, with four players reaching double figures and the team shooting an impressive 50% (13-26) from beyond the arc.
Clarke continued her impressive form with her fourth consecutive game scoring in double figures, fueled by four successful three-pointers. Gilbert, on the other hand, notched her 13th double-digit scoring game of the season while also making significant contributions defensively, amassing six steals along with five rebounds. Notably, Gilbert’s six steals tied the record for most steals in a single game by a Blue Demon in the Big East Tournament, matching Sonya Morris’s achievement in 2020.
Graduate student Jorie Allen made her presence felt with a game-high nine rebounds alongside seven points.
DePaul showcased its teamwork by recording 18 assists as a team, marking the highest assist tally in a tournament game since the event relocated to Mohegan Sun in 2021.
For Seton Hall, Azana Baines led the scoring with 17 points, closely followed by Micah Gray with 16.
Game Recap:
The opening exchanges saw Clarke and Gilbert dominating, but Seton Hall managed to pull ahead with a 17-9 lead midway through the first quarter. However, DePaul’s defense tightened, holding Seton Hall scoreless for the remainder of the quarter, reducing the deficit to 17-13.
A steal and fastbreak layup from Gilbert propelled DePaul into the lead for the first time at 20-18 early in the second quarter. Seton Hall responded strongly, embarking on a 12-2 run to establish a 35-24 lead at halftime, with Clarke and Gilbert leading DePaul’s scoring efforts.
Clarke’s hot hand continued in the third quarter, where she contributed 10 points, bringing DePaul within touching distance, but Seton Hall finished the quarter with a buzzer-beating three-pointer to maintain a 52-43 advantage.
In the final quarter, Seton Hall stretched their lead to 15 points, but a determined DePaul clawed back with an 11-2 run, narrowing the gap to six points with 90 seconds remaining. However, Seton Hall’s efficient free throw shooting secured the victory, denying DePaul any further comeback opportunities.
