The biggest upset in program history was within its grasp Saturday night, but DePaul’s women had no final answer as top-ranked Connecticut rallied from a 17-point second-half deficit to upend the Blue Demons 77-76.
Huskies guard Ketia Swanier scored on a driving layup to put her team ahead for good with 1.4 seconds left in regulation.
DePaul held a 76-75 lead with 14.6 seconds left and had possession when the Blue Demons picked up a loose ball after Connecticut guard Renee Montgomery missed a free throw.
DePaul’s Missy Mitidiero briefly had the ball as it skipped past half-court, but she couldn’t maintain control and Connecticut recovered, allowing the Huskies to set up what proved to be Swanier’s game-winning drive.
“We just stayed together, played as a team, executed and did what we had to do,” Swanier said. “But you have to give DePaul their props. They came out and played with their hearts.”
For much of the game, an inspired DePaul team outshot, outhustled and outsmarted the Huskies before a capacity crowd of 3,511 at McGrath Arena.
DePaul played a near-flawless first half while Connecticut had 14 turnovers while falling behind 47-35. The Blue Demons still led 61-47 after a Mitidiero three-pointer with 10:52 left to play. But Connecticut turned the tide and climbed back into contention with a 13-3 run and later took a 72-70 lead on a Montgomery three-pointer with 3:22 to play.
Montgomery paced the Huskies (28-1, 14-1) with 23 points. Allie Quigley had 27 for DePaul (18-10, 7-8).
