Indianapolis,IN – Purdue has had a great run in the Big Ten Women’s Tournament thus far. They pulled off a big upset over #6 Nebraska yesterday and hoping to pull off another one from the #3 Rutgers, who beat them back in January. Purdue showed that was then and this is now.
Holding the lead for most of the 1st quarter, the Boilermakers did what they do best, be patient on offense and stick close on defense. A big 3 from Purdue’s McLaughlin late in the 1st pushed the lead to 4. Rutgers was able to drop a few more shots to take the lead by 3 at the end of the 1st.
2nd quarter Rutgers became much more aggressive on the defensive end;jumping in passing lanes, getting low and attempting steals causing Purdue to rush and turn the ball over. Purdue wasn’t able to defend Rutgers from mid range and pull away a bit. Purdue’s Harris finished the half with 6 points and Purdue going 2-10 from 3 helped Rutgers take a 31-24 lead going into halftime.
3rd quarter was very back and forth between the 2 teams. Purdue did start to win the battle down low, with Harris being the big contributor for the Boilermakers in the 3rd. If it wasn’t for a few costly turnovers for Purdue the game would have been tied or even had the lead at the end of the 3rd. Rutgers closed out the 3rd with a buzzer beater 3 by Jordan Wallace making it 45-41.
The 4th quarter just wasn’t it for Purdue. They had their share of open shots and generally good looks but just couldn’t get anything to go in. Can’t win the game if you can’t get them to fall. Purdue’s Harris finished just one rebound shy of a double-double scoring 10 points and 9 rebounds. Rutgers went on to with this one 64-49.
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