Box Score / Notes / Photo Gallery
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue women's basketball team turned in one of the most impressive team efforts in program history Thursday night, toppling visiting Incarnate Word in Mackey Arena 95-27. The Boilermakers attacked the record book, matching the second-largest margin of victory all-time at Purdue and converting a scorching 63.8 percent (37-58) from the field as they improved to 7-2 on the year.
Purdue's 68-point advantage matched a margin for the Boilermakers over IPFW in Mackey Arena on Nov. 21, 2004, and was 10 points shy of the all-time record set against Savannah State in 2002. The Boilermakers' field goal percentage is the sixth-best single-game total in school history, missing the all-time mark of 68.9 percent (42-61) set against Eastern Illinois in 1981. It's Purdue's best single-game shooting performance since hitting 36-of-56 (.643) against Milwaukee in 2003.
The Boilermakers also cashed in 10-of-15 (.667) from 3-point range, matching the seventh-best single-game performance in Purdue history, and their best since hitting 10-of-14 (.714) against Washington in 2006. Junior Ashley Morrissette became the second player in Purdue history to go 5-of-5 in a game, matching Carol Madsen's effort at Minnesota on Jan. 12, 1990. Morrissette finished with 15 points and five rebounds in 23 minutes.
Purdue shared the ball exceptionally, assisting on 31-of-37 field goals in the game and matching the third-highest single-game total in program history. The mark matches a 31-assist night against Indiana on Jan. 22, 1999, and is three shy of the record of 34 set against IPFW in 2004.
As efficient as the Boilermaker offense proved, the defense was equally smothering as they limited the Cardinals to 16.4 percent (9-55) from the field and forced 25 turnovers. Incarnate Word's shooting total was the worst by a Purdue opponent since setting a school record by limiting Murray State to 6-of-49 (.122) in 2010. The Boilermakers turned the Cardinal's 25 turnovers into 39 points. Purdue held Incarnate Word to a school record two points in the second quarter, and only nine points in the first half, just three shy of the Purdue record set against St. Joseph's (Ind.) in 1982, and the lowest first-half total for an opponent in 20 years.
The Boilermakers boasted advantages in all facets of the game, outscoring the Cardinals in the paint 40-4, the fast break 17-0 and off the bench 54-2. Sophomore reserves Bree Horrocks and Justine Hall both turned in career-high scoring efforts as Horrocks was 7-of-7 for 15 points, all coming in the fourth quarter, while Hall made 5-of-6 for 11 points. Horrocks is the second Boilermaker to go 7-of-7 in a game this season (Andreona Keys) and the fifth player in school history to shoot perfect in a game with at least seven attempts.
Joining Morrissette, Horrocks and Hall in double figures were senior Hayden Hamby and freshman Dominique McBryde, who both scored career-high totals with 12 and 11, respectively. Hamby added five rebounds and two assists, while McBryde had five boards, four assists and a pair of blocks. Senior April Wilson had a stellar stat line, finishing with nine points, 10 assists, three rebounds and two steals against no turnovers in 26 minutes. Junior Bridget Perry stuffed the stat sheet as well, totaling nine points, eight rebounds, four assists, a career-high three blocks and three steals, while also having zero turnovers.
The Cardinals were led by junior Brianna Williams, who finished with 12 points and five rebounds as Incarnate Word fell to 3-5 with its fourth straight loss.
The Boilermakers will have a quick turn-around this weekend, hosting intrastate rival Ball State on Sunday at 2 p.m. in Mackey Arena. Pregame will play host to Purdue's first Boilerpalooza festival in Cardinal Court, open to all fans and their families with a ticket to the game. Fans can get four general admission tickets for $20 or a $2 general admission ticket with a stub from the men's basketball game Saturday vs. Youngstown State.