Boilers Fall to Minnesota 65-45
The Boilermakers were stymied in the fourth quarter against the Gophers
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue women’s basketball team played visiting Minnesota within two points after three quarters Thursday in Mackey Arena, but couldn’t come up with a bucket in the final 10 minutes as the Golden Gophers pulled away for a 65-45 win. The Boilermakers fall to 16-11 overall and 7-7 in conference play with the loss, while Minnesota wins its fifth straight, improving to 18-7 (7-7 B1G).
Sophomore Karissa McLaughlin had 13 points to lead the Boilermakers, hitting three 3’s and turning in her 15th straight game in double figures, while junior Ae’Rianna Harris was the only other Purdue player in double figures with 10 points. Harris added six rebounds, six blocks and a pair of steals before fouling out after 27 minutes. Junior Dominique Oden and sophomore Tamara Farquhar scored eight points apiece with Oden securing a team-high seven rebounds and Farquhar adding five boards.
Purdue looked in control midway through the third as Oden took a steal coast-to-coast and finished with a foul to put the Boilermakers up 38-34, but after the media timeout she missed the free throw and Minnesota went on a 9-2 run and finished the quarter up 45-43, despite a McLaughlin triple near the buzzer.
The Boilermakers went ice cold in the final quarter, going 0-11 from the field and turning the ball over eight times with the only two points coming at the free throw line. Minnesota’s Destiny Pitts scored 25 of her game-high 27 in the second half, including 14 in the fourth quarter. Senior Kenisha Bell had 17 points and nine rebounds as the Gophers hit on 50 percent from the field and three-of-five from behind the arc.
Purdue is back at home Sunday, hosting Northwestern at 6 p.m. ET at Mackey Arena. The game is the 12th-annual Pink Zone game and the Boilermakers’ pink uniforms will be auctioned during the first half with all proceeds going to benefit local cancer patients. Purdue will also honor seniors Abby Abel and Nora Kiesler after the conclusion of Sunday’s game.
