News Summary
The DePaul University women’s basketball team will host the University of Milwaukee in an exhibition game at the McGrath-Phillips Arena. The game, scheduled for Saturday evening, marks the only exhibition matchup of the season. DePaul holds a historical edge over Milwaukee, and fans can follow the live statistics although the game won’t be streamed. Head coach Jill M. Pizzotti leads a team with returning players and new additions, gearing up for the regular season opener against Valparaiso soon after.
CHICAGO – The DePaul University women’s basketball team is set to host the University of Milwaukee in their only exhibition matchup of the season on Saturday, October 25, 2025. The game will tip off at 7:15 p.m. and will take place at the McGrath-Phillips Arena in Lincoln Park, Chicago.
This exhibition follows DePaul’s annual preseason basketball event, “Blue Madness,” which offers free admission for both events. While the game will not be live-streamed, live statistics will be available for fans to track the action in real-time.
Historically, DePaul holds an undefeated all-time record against Milwaukee, having a 5-0 edge in their previous meetings. The last encounter between the two teams was on November 26, 2019.
This season marks the start of new leadership for the Blue Demons, as Jill M. Pizzotti takes on the role of head coach. Pizzotti begins her first season with extensive experience, bringing 15 years of coaching roles within the DePaul program.
Key players returning for DePaul include senior guard Kate Clarke and graduate forward Meg Newman; however, both will be out due to injuries at the beginning of the season. Other essential players include junior guards Shakara McCline and Sumer Lee, along with sophomore Natiah Nelson. The team’s depth is further bolstered by redshirt-freshmen Alayna West and Ally Timm, who are expected to make immediate contributions after recovering from injuries last season.
In terms of new additions, seven newcomers will debut for DePaul, including transfers Kate Novik from Morehead State and Michelle Ojo from Delaware. The frontcourt will benefit from the addition of graduate transfer Justis Odom as well as Chicago native Faith Okorie. Notably, improvements in guard play are anticipated with the integration of sophomore Devin Hagemann from East Carolina and redshirt-junior Aizhanique Mayo from Xavier. The roster features one true freshman, Gina Davorija, hailing from Glenview, Illinois.
Milwaukee’s program is led by head coach Kyle Rechlicz, who is entering her 14th season. The Panthers faced a challenging previous season, finishing with a record of 8-24, and have been predicted to finish ninth in the Horizon League preseason coaches’ poll. A notable returning player for Milwaukee includes junior forward Jorey Buwalda, who averaged 7.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game last season. Milwaukee has also recruited seven newcomers to enhance their roster.
Following the exhibition contest, DePaul will open their regular season against Valparaiso on November 4 at the Wintrust Arena; the game is set for a 6 p.m. tip-off and will be covered on ESPN+.
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DePaul Women’s Basketball Hosts Milwaukee for Exhibition Game
Additional Resources
- DePaul Downs Milwaukee: 77-73 in Exhibition Matchup
- Wikipedia: DePaul University
- DePaul Hosts Exhibition vs. Milwaukee on October 25
- Google Search: DePaul Women’s Basketball
- Clarke & Newman to Miss Early Part of Season
- Google Scholar: DePaul Basketball 2025
- Kate Clarke Selected Preseason All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention
- Encyclopedia Britannica: DePaul University
- BIG EAST Conference Unveils 2025-26 Schedule
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