Marquette falls to DePaul in Big East title game

CHICAGO - The Marquette University women's basketball team fell to DePaul, 98-63, in the BIG EAST Conference Women's Basketball Championship game on Tuesday evening at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.

Junior Amani Wilborn, who was named to the BIG EAST All-Tournament Team, led the Golden Eagles (23-9) with 12 points, while classmate Natisha Hiedeman was the only other MU player in double figures with 10.

"Congratulations to DePaul. They were phenomenal tonight in all areas, and we were obviously not," head coach Carolyn Kieger said. "What a difference a year can make in terms of a game. Unfortunately, they gave the best effort and we didn't.

"I still choose this team any day. We've got a lot to fix before selection Monday occurs. We just had a good meeting in the locker room, and we know that there's a lot of basketball left to be played. We're going to give our best effort, but I'll still take these ladies no matter what."

Marquette trailed 22-17 after the first quarter and allowed the Blue Demons (26-7) to score at least 30 points in both the second and third quarters to pull away for the win. MU was outscored 30-12 in the second and trailed by as many as 40 points midway through the final frame.

The two squads shared the league's regular season title and split the regular season series. Marquette topped DePaul in the 2017 conference tournament final at the Al McGuire Center for its first BIG EAST tournament crown.

The Golden Eagles await their NCAA Championship fate and aim to make a consecutive trips to the tournament when the bracket gets unveiled on Monday, March 12 at 6 CT 

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