DePaul Women Top UIC in Exhibition
Kate Clarke scored 21 points in her first game back from injury as DePaul beat UIC 72-66 in an exhibition matchup.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Basketball
DePaul women's basketball defeated UIC 72-66 in an exhibition matchup on Oct. 16 at McGrath-Phillips Arena. DePaul trailed 31-36 at halftime before outscoring UIC 23-17 in the third quarter to take its first lead of the game.
Why it matters
The exhibition result offers an early look at a DePaul roster returning key players from injury ahead of the regular season. Strong bench production and rebounding in the win signal depth for the coming campaign.
DePaul shot 43.9% from the field and won the rebounding battle 40-32 in the 72-66 exhibition win over UIC. Kate Clarke led all scorers with 21 points, while Zoey Ward added 19 points and five rebounds, though the stub does not indicate how these early numbers will hold against regular-season competition.
The players
Kate Clarke
Kate Clarke is a DePaul women's basketball guard who scored a team-high 21 points in her first game back from an injury that kept her out last season.
Zoey Ward
Zoey Ward is a DePaul women's basketball player who added 19 points and five rebounds in the exhibition win over UIC.
The details
Kate Clarke led DePaul with 21 points in her first game back from an injury that sidelined her last season. Mikaia Litza finished with nine assists, and Gina Davorija scored 13 points off the bench as DePaul rallied from a 31-36 halftime deficit.
Timeline
Oct. 16: DePaul defeated UIC 72-66 in exhibition at McGrath-Phillips Arena.
Nov. 3: DePaul opens the regular season at Wintrust Arena against Evansville.
Season Trajectory
The exhibition win gives DePaul an early benchmark as it returns Clarke from injury before opening regular-season play at Wintrust Arena. The result shapes early expectations for the team's depth heading into its Nov. 3 opener against Evansville.
Clarke's return from injury adds a scoring option to DePaul's rotation before the Nov. 3 regular-season opener against Evansville. Fantasy and bracket watchers tracking the Blue Demons can expect Ward and Litza to be key contributors based on this exhibition performance.
The takeaway
Early exhibition results can signal roster depth, but they are a preview rather than a verdict on how the team will perform once conference play begins.
What happens next
DePaul opens its regular season against Evansville at Wintrust Arena on Nov. 3.
Further reading
Explore more on the Basketball section for context on Chicago-area college hoops.
