Feb. 13, 2009
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Purdue (17-8, 10-4 Big Ten) became the first Big Ten team to defeat Minnesota on its home court this season, coming away with a 55-40 victory on Thursday.
With the win, the Boilermakers pulled within a game of first place in the conference, a game behind Michigan State and a half a game behind Ohio State.
Purdue was led by Lakisha Freeman and FahKara Malone who each scored 12 points. Malone also dished out a game-high five assists and four steals while playing 38 minutes. Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton contributed 11 points and 11 rebounds for her eighth double-double of the season and the 20th of her career. She also had three assists, three blocks and two steals in the win.
With 5:42 to go and only one second on the shot clock, Malone hit a three-pointer from deep in the right corner. It was a critical shot for the Boilermakers, giving them a 10-point lead for the first time in the game and silenced the Minnesota crowd.
The first half of play was a back-and-forth affair in which there were five ties and six lead changes.
The Boilermakers took a 27-24 lead into the lockerroom, but Minnesota's Katie Ohm hit a three-pointer in the first minute of the second period to knot it at 27-27. Thanks to outstanding defense by Purdue, it was the closest the Golden Gophers would get. The Boilermakers held the Gophers to 16 points in the second half and limited them to 20.7 percent from the field. Only Emily Fox and Ashley Ellis-Milan reached double-figures for Minnesota, scoring 10 points apiece.
Purdue once again dominated the glass in the matchup against the Gophers, outrebounding them 38-29. Danielle Campbell shared game-high rebounding honors with Wisdom-Hylton, grabbing 11 boards. It is the second consecutive game that the 6-foot-4 center has recorded 11 rebounds.
The Boilermakers return to action on Sunday when they play host to Illinois at 1 p.m. ET in Mackey Arena. The game is Purdue's Pink Zone Challenge game for breast cancer awareness and will be carried live on ESPN2.