Marquette beats DePaul in Big East championship

MILWAUKEE – Amani Wilborn got the best gift for her 20th birthday.

She’ll never forget winning the Most Outstanding Player Award for helping to lead Marquette to its first Big East Tournament championship and a trip to the NCAAs.

Wilborn scored 20 points off the bench, Natisha Hiedeman had a game-high 28 and six 3-pointers, and the third-seeded Golden Eagles beat top-seeded DePaul 86-78 to win the Big East crown on Tuesday night.

“It’s the best feeling, it’s the best birthday I’ve ever had,” Wilborn said with a bright smile. “I’m like a little kid again.”

Hiedeman tied a season high with her six 3s. But Marquette (25-7) seemed to be at its best when a collection of quick perimeter players went strong to the hoop. Wilborn was 9 of 13 from the field, often beating defenders in the lane for layups or short jumpers.

“It’s unbelievable,” Wilborn said. “I come into the game and just look to do whatever the team needs in that particular game, and that’s what we needed tonight.”

A Marquette-friendly crowd roared after the final buzzer with the school hosting the tourney on campus at the cozy Al McGuire Center. Marquette is returning to the NCAAs for the first time since 2011.

Marquette opened the fourth quarter with a 9-2 run to take a 10-point lead and held on late after a turnover and a couple missed foul shots allowed top-seeded DePaul (26-7) to get within 83-78 with 23 seconds left on Jessica January’s 3.

The top-seeded Blue Demons wasted one last opportunity with a turnover with 4 seconds left while trailing by five. Six of DePaul’s 14 turnovers came in the fourth quarter.

“Marquette won a couple key possessions that we just didn’t finish, that we didn’t get done,” coach Doug Bruno said.

January led DePaul with 23 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Amarah Coleman had 17 points before fouling out with 1:27 left.