CHICAGO – The Georgetown University women's basketball team used a big fourth quarter push to defeat the DePaul University Blue Demons 66-62 on Sunday afternoon in a BIG EAST Conference New Year's Eve showdown at Wintrust Arena. With the win, the Hoyas improve to 11-2 on the season and 1-1 in league play, while the Blue Demons drop to 9-6 for the year and 1-1 in the conference. 

Interim Head Coach Darnell Haney

• "Today was a remarkable effort from our group, I'm just so proud of them. They persevered, when DePaul went on a run, they just played Georgetown defense and made it tough. We had contributions from a lot of players. Kelsey Ransom is one of the best players in the country and she came up big tonight. Graceann Bennett made some big free throws, Ariel Jenkins has come on really strong and Alex Cowan had a great game. We're going to celebrate the New Year tonight and then get up out of here and start preparing for Butler."

How it Happened

• The teams traded baskets, and junior Ariel Jenkins led the Blue & Gray early hitting both inside and out.
• Georgetown heated up from downtown as both graduate student Alex Cowan and senior Kelsey Ransom knocked down triples to take the 18-13 lead.
• A layup from graduate student Mya Bembry and another 3-pointer from Ransom sparked an 8-0 run to end the first quarter as GU held the 26-16 advantage.
• The Hoyas struggled to hit in the second quarter, allowing DePaul to stage a 12-0 run to regain the lead.
• At the break, GU trailed 38-35.
• A 6-0 run early in the second half put the Blue & Gray right back in it, and the lead eventually swung back to the Hoyas on a triple from Ransom.
• But the Blue Demons answered with a 10-0 run to go up 53-44 before a Hoyas timeout. Out of the break, Georgetown put together five quick points as the Hoyas would not go away. GU trailed 53-49 at the end of the third.
• Ransom dominated in the final period as an 8-2 run with seven points from the senior allowed GU to regain the lead 57-55.
• From that point on, Georgetown would cling to the small lead as the defense came up with some big stops.
• In the final seconds, graduate student Graceann Bennett sank a pair of free throws to secure the 66-62 victory.

Of Note

• Ransom led the way for the Hoyas with 23 points, including a 4-5 performance from beyond the arc, to go along with eight assists and seven rebounds as well as five steals.

• Sophomore Victoria Rivera had 10 points to round out those in double figures.
• Bennett led GU on the glass with 10 rebounds and seven points, and classmate Mya Bembry was also solid with eight points and as many rebounds to her credit.
• The Hoyas shot 44.6% (25-56) from the field, and the Blue & Gray allowed 40.6% (26-64) shooting by the Blue Demons.
• GU outrebounded DePaul 38-32, and Georgetown forced 12 Blue Demon turnovers on eight steals.
• Anaya Peoples led DePaul with 21 points, Katlyn Gilbert had 16 and Jorie Allen scored 13 as well as pulling in 10 boards for the Blue Demons. 

Up Next

• Georgetown will conclude its three-game road swing as it continues BIG EAST Conference play facing the Butler University Bulldogs on Wednesday in a 7 p.m. matchup at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
• Fans can tune in to watch the contest on the BIG EAST Digital Network on FloSports presented by Invesco QQQ. Click here for special University pricing.
• Live stats will be available at GUHoyas.com.