Jan. 19, 2009
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Purdue women's basketball team was unable to score down the stretch and saw a two-point lead become a 14-point deficit, losing 71-57 at Indiana. It was the first IU win over Purdue in Assembly Hall in 10 years and just the third time in 16 tries that the Hoosiers were able to capture the Barn Burner Trophy.
The Boilermakers were down 35-30 at halftime, but could have been down by seven after Indiana's Lindsay Whitney swiped the ball from Purdue center Danielle Campbell. Whitney raced down court and hit a layup, but the officials ruled that she did not get the shot off before the buzzer.
Purdue started the second half with a 6-0 run to retake the lead at 36-35, but a three-pointer by junior point guard Jamie Braun on the next possession put the Hoosiers back on top. There were nine lead changes and eight ties in a game that was much closer than the final score indicated.
The Boilermakers held a 56-54 lead with 4:51 seconds to play, but did not manage to score another field goal. Braun put the game away after hitting two three-pointers in under a minute. Her second three, at the 2:07 mark, gave Indiana an eight-point lead. Purdue's only score before the buzzer came on a free throw by center Danielle Campbell at 1:14 left in the game.
Turnovers and offensive rebounds were the story of the night as the Boilermakers committed 23 turnovers to IU's eight. The Hoosiers scored 46 of their 71 points off turnovers and second chance opportunities.
Purdue was led by Lakisha Freeman's 17 points. The senior forward was 8 of 11 from the field, 1 of 1 from the free throw line and pulled down eight rebounds. The Boilermakers got double-doubles from its starting post players, with Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton contributing 14 points and 10 rebounds, three steals, two blocks and an assist, while Danielle Campbell recorded 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Campbell, however, was just 3 of 10 from the field and committed eight turnovers in the loss.
Four of Indiana's starters reached double-figures, including a game-high 22 points by sophomore Jori Davis. Whitney Thomas scored 19 but was held to five rebounds. Braun scored 16 points and pulled down a team-high six rebounds while Kim Roberson chipped in 10 points and three steals.
The Boilermakers have little opportunity to rest as they return to action on Thursday, Jan. 22 against Minnesota at 7 p.m. in Mackey Arena. That game will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network.