No. 17 DePaul 74, Ill.-Chicago 65

12/17/2006 6:37 PM

CHICAGO (AP) -Allie Quigley had 23 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists to help No. 17 DePaul win its ninth straight, 74-65 over University of Illinois-Chicago on Sunday.

Caprice Smith had 16 points and 11 rebounds, and the visiting Blue Demons grabbed a season-high 60 rebounds. Jenna Rubino added 11 points and 15 rebounds to help DePaul (9-1) improve to 33-6 against its cross-city rival. Missy Mitidiero added 12.

Krystal Hugelier had 24 points, 18 from behind the 3-point line, for UIC (5-6). LaShonda Grant added 14 points, five steals and six assists for the Flames, who lost for the fifth time in seven games.

UIC pulled within 53-49 after Hugelier sank one of two free throws with 8:57 left in the second half. That was as close as the Flames would get as DePaul outscored UIC 19-7 over the next 6 minutes, taking a 72-56 lead with 2:15 left.

Hugelier hit three 3-pointers to give UIC a 13-6 advantage with 14:00 left in the first half. DePaul responded with a 13-1 run, with Mitidiero hitting a couple of 3's during the stretch.

An acrobatic layup by Grant brought UIC within one, but DePaul scored seven points in the final minute to take a 41-33 lead into halftime.

The Blue Demons turned the ball over 25 times, but outrebounded UIC 60-34 and held the Flames to 22-of-66 shooting.

DePaul has won its last 25 games against Horizon League opponents and has been victorious in 35 of its last 36 games against in-state rivals.