DePaul looks to avenge loss to Liberty in first-round NCAA matchup

3/16/2006 1:43 AM

DePaul couldn't help but find it ironic that it drew Liberty as its first-round opponent for a first-round NCAA tournament matchup Saturday at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill., as part of the San Antonio Regional.

The Blue Demons (25-6) were upset 88-79 by the Flames (25-5) in the second round of the NCAA tournament last year. Liberty was seeded 13th and led by 6-foot-8 center Katie Feenstra, who has graduated and now plays in the WNBA.

The memory of that loss lingers for DePaul, which is seeded fourth this season.

``I mean it's very ironic to say they were the ones who put us out last year,'' DePaul leading scorer Khara Smith said. ``We played them before and we know what they have to offer. But it being a new year, they have a different team as we do.

``It's a factor that will play in, that they ended our season last year, and technically I guess it wasn't supposed to happen.''

Smith scored 27 points in last year's matchup, but DePaul shot 32 percent and was unable to contain Feenstra. The Flames center had 29 points and 13 rebounds to help Liberty become the second 13th seed to ever reach the regional semifinals.

The Blue Demons feel they have improved since that loss after their first season in the rugged Big East conference. Smith averaged 17.7 points and 10.9 rebounds for the Blue Demons, who finished tied for third place with St. John's.

DePaul is also hoping to take advantage of the fan support at the Allstate Arena, where the men's team plays all of its home games. The women play all of their games on campus, but are eager for the opportunity play at Allstate, where they have won eight straight and are 20-4 all-time.

``We've proven we are a really good home team and even though the Allstate isn't technically our home gym, we will still have family and friends and our school supporting us,'' Smith said.

Liberty is making its 10th straight NCAA appearance, and its third in a row as a No. 13 seed. It was 0-8 all-time in the tournament prior to last season's run.

The Flames won the Big South tournament to extend their current winning streak to 14 games. They held all three opponents in the conference tournament to 50 points or less and haven't lost since a 64-55 defeat Jan. 25 to High Point.

The winner will face either No. 5 seed North Carolina State or 12th-seeded Tulsa in the second round Monday.