Ellis clutch as Marquette beats DePaul

Sophomore Krystal Ellis scored 29 points, including four free throws in the final 32.5 seconds, to lead No. 18 Marquette past No. 23 DePaul 82-79 Saturday night.

The Golden Eagles (15-2, 3-0 Big East) ran their winning streak to 14 games, the longest in the program's history.

Trailing 78-75, DePaul's Allie Quigley stole an inbounds pass and found Caprice Smith for a layup to draw the Blue Demons (11-4, 1-1) within one.

The Blue Demons then fouled Ellis, who hit both free throws to give Marquette a three-point advantage with 32.5 seconds left. After a pair of free throws from Smith with 15.9 seconds remaining, Ellis again was sent to the line and hit both attempts.

A last second 3-point shot by Jenna Rubino fell short at the buzzer.

DePaul started strong, taking a 17-4 lead on a layup by Smith with 16:12 left in the first half. The momentum shifted as Marquette outscored the Blue Demons 24-8 in the final 8 minutes of the half, including seven straight points from Ellis, to go into halftime up 44-41.

Marquette's Christina Quaye tied her career high with 26 points, adding six rebounds and three assists despite spraining her right ankle. Ellis added six assists, five rebounds and three steals, and Danielle Kamm had 10 points for Marquette.

Rubino led DePaul with 21 points. Smith had 20 points and five rebounds. Quigley and China Threatt scored 13 apiece.