The Butler women’s basketball team came into this weekend with a 19-6 overall record, as they faced off with the Big East’s top two teams, making it a challenging weekend.
Game One:
The first game of the two-game weekend road trip was against No. 11 Marquette on Feb. 22. The Bulldogs got blown out in their last meeting with the Golden Eagles and needed a big win on the road.
This was a close game throughout, and the tone was set early by both teams. After the first quarter, the score was tied at 19 and Marquette led by four at the half. The game came down to the final minutes. Star center Tori Schickel hit a two-point jumper with 36 seconds remaining to seal the deal for Butler. The final score was 61-57 Bulldogs.
Butler got standout performances from Tori Schickel — who had 19 points along with seven rebounds — and Michelle Weaver, who posted 12 points, six rebounds and five assists. For Marquette, Allazia Blockton had a strong game, scoring 14 points. The Golden Eagles fell to 22-5 after the loss to Butler.
Game Two:
The second game of the road trip was in Chicago against second-place DePaul on Feb. 24. The Bulldogs had momentum from their big win against Marquette and were looking to keep it going.
The Blue Demons defeated Butler last time they matched up and came out ready to play early, going up by ten in the first quarter. The Bulldogs tried to stay in the game, but DePaul could not be stopped and the Blue Demons had a 16-point lead going into the half. The only quarter that Butler outscored DePaul in was the third, which cut the Blue Demon lead to just seven entering the start of the fourth quarter. Despite the resilient effort from the Bulldogs, they were outscored 25-18 in the fourth and fell by a final score of 76-62.
DePaul had a strong game offensively and had multiple standout players, such as Chante Stonewall, who was 6-11 from the field and had 17 points. Ashton Millender also turned in a good performance with 15 points and six assists. DePaul is now 21-7 on the season. For the Bulldogs, Tori Schickel had another strong game with 14 points and six rebounds.
After this weekend, the Butler women’s basketball team sits at a 20-7 overall record and third in the Big East. They only have two games remaining in the regular season, both of which are at home. With the regular season dwindling down, that means the Big East Tournament and postseason basketball are ahead.
