WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue women's basketball team put on another defensive showcase Sunday, earning a 61-27 victory over visiting North Carolina Central in Mackey Arena. The Boilermakers held the Eagles to 23.5 percent from the floor (12-51) and forced them into seven shot clock violations on the day, winning Purdue's fifth straight and improving to 8-4 overall.
The Boilermakers got off to a slow start Sunday, missing their first four shots of the game, but once things got going they took off fast. Purdue used a 9-0 run in the first quarter to extend the lead to 13, 17-4, and went on an 8-0 spurt in the second quarter to take it up to 16, 31-15. The third quarter was an especially-excellent defensive performance, holding the Eagles to 1-of-10 from the field and stretching the Boilermakers' advantage to 27 points, 46-19.
North Carolina Central took a very slow and measured approach on the offensive end, using the bulk of the shot clock on most possessions and running out of time on several of them. This minimized the Boilermakers' possessions, making their offensive efficiency crucial. Purdue answered the call, shooting 50.9 percent (27-53) from the floor and matching its season-low with nine turnovers.
Four Boilermakers scored in double figures, led by senior Ashley Morrissette with 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting. Junior Andreona Keys just missed a double-double for the second straight game, finishing with 11 points and eight boards, while senior Bridget Perry and freshman Ae'Rianna Harris posted 10 points each. Harris' total is a career-high, and her third career-best mark of the week after blocking five shots vs. Central Michigan on Tuesday and grabbing 10 rebounds at Ball State on Thursday. Sophomore Abby Abel and freshman Miracle Gray got in the scoring column for the first time in their careers as Gray had a steal-and-score to finish the first half, while Abel drained a 3 in the final minute.
North Carolina Central falls to 1-6 with the loss and their 27 points matches the fourth-lowest scoring total for an opponent in Purdue history.
Purdue will take a short break this week and return to action after finals, hosting Eastern Michigan on Saturday in Mackey Arena at 4 p.m. ET.
In case you missed it... @ballerabby24 #BoilerUp https://t.co/jWI98zFvUp
- Purdue Women's Bball (@PurdueWBB) December 11, 2016