For the first time in almost two years, I attended a DePaul women’s basketball game, and what a game it was! Opening the season, DePaul crushed Texas Southern University 114–71. It was also Allie Quigley Night, as DePaul honored alum Quigley, who won the WNBA championship with the Chicago Sky last season.

Photo courtesy of DePaul University Athletics.

Despite TSU scoring the first points, the game was never in doubt, as DePaul roared to a 60–27 halftime lead. DePaul first-year player Aneesah Morrow actually matched TSU’s first half point total on her way to 31 points for the night. She is the first player in DePaul coach Doug Bruno’s career to score that many points in her freshman debut.

For the first time DePaul plays all of their home games at Wintrust Arena on the Near South Side of Chicago, as opposed to Alumni Hall on campus. The crowd was electric, as DePaul students and fans were joined by a large contingent of Sky fans.

Chicago area native Quigley is a true success story. After concluding her DePaul career, Quigley bounced around a bit in the WNBA and overseas before finding a home with the Sky in 2013. A three-time All-Star, Quigley was a vital part of the Sky’s championship. After the game, I caught up with Quigley, leaving soon to join her Russian team. As we talked travel, she looked forward to another great experience there.

After the game, we enjoyed victory pizza at Pizano’s. I plan on celebrating many DePaul wins at Pizano’s this season. I’ll be back to both places many times this season.

— John Wroblewski, online writer