Preview: DePaul at Marquette Women’s Basketball

MILWAUKEE (Interstat) — The Marquette women’s basketball team looks to solidify its position in the upper tier of the Big East Conference when it hosts struggling DePaul on Wednesday night at the Bradley Center.

The Golden Eagles (13-7 overall) enter the contest having won four of their last five games, including a gritty 64-60 road victory at Butler on Sunday. Marquette’s success has been fueled by the standout play of Halle Vice, who scored 23 points and grabbed five rebounds in that win. Vice has been a consistent force, posting a 32-point, 11-rebound performance in a win over Villanova earlier this month.

DePaul (5-17) arrives in Milwaukee fresh off one of its best performances of the season, a 76-61 home win over Creighton on Sunday. The Blue Demons will aim to build on that momentum and reverse the result from the teams’ first meeting this season, a dominant 85-54 victory for Marquette in Chicago on Dec. 4.

A key matchup will feature DePaul’s Kate Novik against Marquette’s defense. Novik is coming off a strong double-double against Creighton with 17 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Her versatility will be crucial for a DePaul squad that has struggled for consistency, having lost 10 of its last 13 games.

For Marquette, protecting its home court is paramount as it navigates a challenging second half of the conference schedule. Beyond Vice, contributions from players like Jaidynn Mason, who added 16 points against Butler, will be needed.

The Golden Eagles have shown resilience in close games, evidenced by a one-point win at Saint John’s last week, while DePaul’s recent losses include several narrow defeats. The Blue Demons will need to replicate their Sunday effort to challenge a Marquette team with clear aspirations for the postseason.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CST Wednesday in Milwaukee.