Highlights from tonight's win? We got 'em... #BoilerUp https://t.co/Gw94vPY0IM
-- Purdue Women's Bball (@PurdueWBB) January 15, 2016
Box Score / Notes / Photo Gallery
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Freshman Dominique McBryde posted a career-high 22 points and eight rebounds and the Boilermaker defense showed up in full force as the Purdue women's basketball team secured an 84-72 victory over visiting Minnesota in Mackey Arena on Thursday. The Boilermakers won their ninth straight, improving to 14-2 overall and 5-0 in Big Ten play and now sit alone in first place in the conference standings.
The first half was all about the Purdue defense as they held the Golden Gophers to 24 points in the first 20 minutes, including just 3-of-18 shooting (.188) in the second quarter. The Boilermakers turned seven first-quarter turnovers into 10 points, and got eight points apiece from McBryde and junior Ashley Morrissette as they rolled out to a 24-16 lead.
The Boilermakers' second-quarter defense was made even more impressive by the fact that sophomore Andreona Keys, who was assigned the majority of the night to Minnesota senior star Rachel Banham, was on the bench with two early fouls. The Golden Gophers duo of Banham and sophomore Carlie Wagner was limited to a combined 13 points in the first half on 5-of-19 shooting. McBryde continued her work in the second quarter, pouring in six more points and finishing the half with 14 points and six boards.
Minnesota got things going in the third behind some amazing play from Banham. The Gopher senior drained 7-9 from the floor, including a pair from distance to score 16 points and trim the Purdue lead all the way down to four from 18, 53-49. Wagner bolstered her effort with seven points of her own in the quarter as Minnesota outscored their first half total in the 10-minute session.
Senior April Wilson has been clutch all season for the Old Gold and Black in the fourth quarter, and she was there once again Thursday night to make sure Purdue prevailed. After Minnesota knifed the lead down to one, 55-54, with 8:25 to play, Wilson ignited a 9-0 Boilermaker run, scoring five points of her own and assisting on two more buckets to extend the lead to 64-54. The Golden Gophers offered a response as three straight makes from Banham and Wagner brought them back within six, but McBryde and junior Bridget Perry attacked inside, getting to the foul line and converting to secure the final lead. Minnesota tried extending the game with fouls late, but the Boilermakers sank 14-of-17 in the final quarter to seal the win.
McBryde led the Boilermakers in scoring for the first time in her career, and became the first Purdue freshman to do so this season. Wilson finished with 17 points (13 in the fourth quarter), eight assists and four rebounds, while Morrissette added 14 points and four boards. Keys turned in 12 points, three boards and a pair of steals, while sophomore classmate Bree Horrocks grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds in just 21 minutes. Perry had solid all-around numbers, posting nine points, eight rebounds, five assists and a pair of blocks.
Banham led all scorers with 27 points for Minnesota, in addition to five rebounds and five assists, while Wagner chipped in 21 points and five boards. Minnesota drops to 10-6 overall and 2-3 in conference play with the loss.
The Boilermakers look to keep their win streak rolling Sunday as they travel to fifth-ranked Ohio State for a 2 p.m. tipoff in Columbus, Ohio. Sunday's game will air live on the Big Ten Network.