Allen Provides Big Lift; Purdue Northwest Women Drop Opener, 79-73

Allen Provides Big Lift; Purdue Northwest Women Drop Opener, 79-73

Rolla, Mo. – Freshman guard Lanie Allen (East Noble, Ind./East Noble) had a nice collegiate debut recording 17 points and eight rebounds off the bench, but the Purdue Northwest women’s basketball team dropped its 2017-18 season opener to University of Illinois-Springfield (UIS), 79-73, Friday night at Billy Key Court in Rolla, Mo.  The game was part of the first day of action at the two-day Lady Miner Classic hosted at Missouri S & T.    

Sophomore guard Bayley Goodman (Fowler, Ind./Benton Central) also had a nice game for PNW finishing with 15 points, while senior forward Ellie Michalski (Mukwonago, Wis./ Mukwonago) added a double-double effort of 11 points and game-high 13 rebounds.  Sophomore guard Shae Rhonehouse (Fremont, Ind./Fremont) scored in double figures as well with 10 points.  The Pride shot 37 percent (24-for-65) from the field for the game.

Leading 9-8 with 6:12 left to play in the first quarter, Purdue Northwest went on a nice 15-4 run capped by a pair of free throws by Allen to build a 24-12 lead late in the quarter.  Both teams started off slow in the second quarter with the first basket by either team coming on a three-pointer by Michalski with 6:50 remaining in the period.  The trey gave PNW its largest lead of the game at 29-16. 

The Prairie Stars closed out the half strong closing to within five, 41-36, heading into the locker room at halftime.  UIS tied the game at 43-43 at the 6:13 mark of the third quarter off a fast-break lay-up.  The Pride struggled to score in the third quarter posting just six points in the period, which allowed Illinois-Springfield to take a 56-47 lead into the final quarter.  The Prairie Stars scored the first six points of the fourth quarter to extend their lead to 15, 62-47.  PNW did not quit and rallied back to trim the double-digit deficit to five, 71-66, on a three-pointer by Allen with 57 seconds remaining.  Unfortunately for Purdue Northwest, UIS hit enough of its free throws in the closing seconds to hold on and capture the victory.

The Pride (0-1 overall) wrap up play in the Lady Miner Classic on Saturday, November 11, with a game against tournament host Missouri S & T.  The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. CT start at Billy Key Court in Rolla, Mo.