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DePaul women win 4th title in 6 years, top No. 13 Marquette

Posted March 12, 2019 7:00 am

The Associated Press

DePaul forward Chante Stonewall (22) reacts after scoring against Marquette during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Big East women's tournament final Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski) The Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) - Chante Stonewall converted a go-ahead, 3-point play with 5.4 seconds left and DePaul beat No. 13 Marquette 74-73 on Tuesday night for the Blue Demons' fourth Big East Conference title in six seasons.

Stonewall took a pass at the 3-point arc, drove the lane and was fouled while making a layup. She added the free throw for a one-point lead and Natisha Hiedeman went coast-to-coast but her bank shot fell short.

Stonewall's free throw gave DePaul its first lead since 10-8, with 4:07 left in the first quarter, and its 17th straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

Stonewall finished with 28 points on 11-of-17 shooting for DePaul (26-7), which has won 11 games in a row. Lexi Held added 10 points and Kelly Campbell grabbed 12 rebounds.

Hiedeman led top-seeded Marquette (26-7) with 18 points. Selena Lott scored 13, Amani Wilborn 12, and Allazia Blockton and Danielle King each had 11. The Golden Eagles entered with their most victories since the 2006-07 season.

Wilborn made two baskets in the final six seconds of the first half to give Marquette a 40-35 lead. She sank a fade-away jumper in the lane with the shot clock winding down and, after a DePaul turnover, she made a contested layup just before the buzzer for 10 first-half points. Stonewall paced DePaul with 13 points in the half.

Blockton missed a 3-pointer with 43 seconds left but King grabbed the offensive rebound. The Golden Eagles dribbled down the clock and Hiedeman was fouled with 10.4 seconds left before making 1 of 2 free throws for a 73-71 lead.

DePaul has just 11 Big East losses in the last four years - with five coming to Marquette. Last season, DePaul made a tournament record 16 3-pointers in an 86-63 win over Marquette for its third championship in five years. In 2017, Marquette beat DePaul 86-78 for its first Big East title.

DePaul guard Kelly Campbell, front, steals the ball from Marquette guard Danielle King during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Big East women's tournament final Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski) The Associated Press

Marquette guard Natisha Hiedeman (5) shoots against DePaul guard Kelly Campbell (20) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Big East women's tournament final Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski) The Associated Press

Marquette guard Natisha Hiedeman (5) shoots as she is fouled by DePaul guard Sonya Morris (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Big East women's tournament final Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski) The Associated Press

Marquette guard Allazia Blockton (11) shoots against DePaul forward Chante Stonewall (22) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Big East women's tournament final Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski) The Associated Press

DePaul forward Mart'e Grays (35) and Marquette guard Allazia Blockton (11) go for the opening tip of an NCAA college basketball game in the Big East women's tournament final Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski) The Associated Press

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