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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - April Wilson finished just shy of a triple-double to lead the Purdue women's basketball team to a 69-65 win over visiting Illinois on Sunday at Mackey Arena. The Boilermaker senior point guard turned in a career-high 24 points, a career-high 10 rebounds and seven assists as Purdue posted its 14th 2-0 Big Ten Conference start in school history and improved to 11-2 overall.
The Boilermakers relied on their defense once again, holding Illinois to 25.9 percent shooting (14-54) through the first three quarters and 37.3 percent for the game. The Fighting Illini finally got things going in the fourth and final quarter, but clutch free throws from Wilson and senior classmate Torrie Thornton in the final minute sealed up the win.
The victory put together a few victory milestones for the Old Gold and Black as their 53rd win over the Fighting Illini is the most against any opponent in school history, while head coach Sharon Versyp improved to 205-110 on the Boilermaker sidelines and is now one win shy of matching Lin Dunn for the program's career coaching wins record.
Wilson was outstanding in the opening half, hitting 8-of-10 shots on her way to 18 points, five rebounds and four assists at the break. She hit her last five in a row in the half, stretching the Boilermakers' halftime lead to 33-19. Illinois' 19 first-half points were its fewest this season.
The Fighting Illini were able to slow Wilson in the third quarter, holding her scoreless and to three field goal attempts. However Thornton and senior Hayden Hamby picked up the slack for Wilson, scoring five points apiece and leading the Boilermakers to a 49-36 advantage heading to the final quarter.
Illinois caught fire in the final 10 minutes, hitting 11-of-17 (.647) and scoring 29 points as they closed to as close as three points down the stretch. Sophomore center Chatrice White scored eight of her team-high 18 points for Illinois in the period, while senior Kyley Simmons and sophomore Kennedy Cattenhead had five apiece to lead the rally. The Boilermakers held on down the stretch at the free throw line and got to the final buzzer with the win.
Following Wilson's outstanding numbers were Thornton with a season-high eight points and eight rebounds and nine points and five rebounds from junior Ashley Morrissette. Junior Bridget Perry and freshman Dominique McBryde added eight points each.
White finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds to lead Illinois, while Simmons added 16 points. Illinois suffered its five straight loss today, falling to 7-6 overall and 0-2 on the year.
The Boilermakers return to action Thursday at 14th-ranked Northwestern, set for a 7 p.m. CT tip-off at Welsh-Ryan Arena.