Rally Falls Short at No. 20 Rutgers, WBB Falls in OT 65-63
The Boilermakers overcame a 14-point fourth quarter deficit to force an extra session
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Despite a furious fourth-quarter comeback to force overtime the Purdue women’s basketball team was unable to complete the rally, falling at 20th-ranked Rutgers on Wednesday 65-63. The Boilermakers move to 13-6 overall and 4-2 in conference play with the loss, while Rutgers improved to 14-3 and remained undefeated in the Big Ten at 6-0.
Sophomore Karissa McLaughlin and juniors Ae’Rianna Harris and Dominique Oden combined for 53 points as McLaughlin and Oden poured in 18 apiece while Harris had her eighth double-double of the season with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Harris also logged her 12th straight game with at least three blocked shots, pushed her NCAA-leading total to 64, while McLaughlin canned four triples. Sophomore Tamara Farquhar finished with seven points and 10 rebounds.
Wednesday night’s affair featured 18 ties and three lead changes, most of which came in the first 25 minutes of regulation. Tied at 30-30 with 5:48 left in the third, Rutgers mounted an 8-0 run and held firm control of the lead for the next 10 minutes. Their advantage grew as high as 14 in the fourth quarter, leading 54-40 with five minutes left, but the Boilermakers weren’t done.
A McLaughlin triple righted the ship with 4:46 left and the points started pouring in for the Boilers. Oden scored five straight, Farquhar added a bucket and McLaughlin hit another 3 to make it a two-point game with 52 seconds left. Purdue came up with another defensive stop and Harris took a slick feed from Farquhar with 17 seconds left and knotted the score at 54-54.
Neither team could find the bucket much in overtime, but Rutgers was able to get to the free throw line, cashing in 8-of-12 at the stripe in the last five minutes to earn the win. Oden hit Purdue’s lone field goal of the extra session, hitting a 3 to pull within one with two seconds left, 64-63, but that was the Boilers final shot.
The Boilermakers return to Mackey Arena on Sunday, hosting Indiana for a rivalry clash at 2 p.m. ET. Tickets start at $5 and fans can reach the Purdue Ticket Office at 1-800-49-SPORT.