WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Shaking off a slow start, Purdue Women's Basketball dominated the final three quarters to soar past Illinois 70-54 Thursday night at Mackey Arena. With the victory, the Boilermakers (15-11, 6-9 B1G) swept the season series over the Fighting Illini (6-16, 1-10 B1G).
Facing her former team, junior Jeanae Terry led Purdue on both ends of the floor. She crashed the boards and hauled in 17 rebounds for the second consecutive game, matching her career high, while adding 11 points for her fourth double-double of the season. The Detroit, Michigan, native also dished out a team-high seven assists and collected two steals.
The duo of Brooke Moore and Ava Learn combined for 26 points off the bench. Moore's 14 led all Boilermakers, and Learn scored a career-high 12 points. Helping Purdue control the paint, Rickie Woltman reached double figures with 11 points of her own.
Purdue held Illinois to just 26 percent (7-of-27) shooting in the second half, turning a one-point halftime lead into a convincing victory. Madison Layden locked down on defense, holding Illinois leading scorer Aaliyah Nye to just four points on 2-of-5 from the floor.
Despite a cold first quarter in which Purdue shot 16.7 percent (3-of-18) compared to 41.7 percent (5-of-12) by Illinois, the Boilermakers only found themselves down by four. After 18 points combined between the two teams through the first 10 minutes, both teams scored more than 18 points on their own in the second quarter.
Nearing the end of the half, head coach Katie Gearlds called for a full-court press to stifle the Illini attack. The move paid off as Illinois turned the ball over. Terry found Cassidy Hardin for a wide open three to give Purdue its first lead of the game. The Boilermakers remained ahead going into the locker room, 32-31.
Maintaining the momentum they took into the halftime break, the Boilermakers built their lead to double digits in the third quarter. Purdue limited Illinois to just seven points over the 10-minute period, pushing the cushion to a dozen, 50-38.
The Boilermakers increased the advantage to as many as 18 in the final quarter. Terry continued her dominance on both sides of the floor, helping Purdue collect another win against her former team.
QUOTE
"We talked earlier today – have a passion for the game of basketball and have a passion for the person fighting next to you. Have fun – not everybody gets an opportunity to play college basketball. There's a time in our lives when this little girl picked up a basketball and fell in love with the game. Find that joy."
NOTES
UP NEXT
The Boilermakers return to the road, traveling to New Jersey in hopes of sweeping the season series with Rutgers (Feb. 20). Tipoff from Jersey Mike's Arena is set for 1 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.
Facing her former team, junior Jeanae Terry led Purdue on both ends of the floor. She crashed the boards and hauled in 17 rebounds for the second consecutive game, matching her career high, while adding 11 points for her fourth double-double of the season. The Detroit, Michigan, native also dished out a team-high seven assists and collected two steals.
The duo of Brooke Moore and Ava Learn combined for 26 points off the bench. Moore's 14 led all Boilermakers, and Learn scored a career-high 12 points. Helping Purdue control the paint, Rickie Woltman reached double figures with 11 points of her own.
Purdue held Illinois to just 26 percent (7-of-27) shooting in the second half, turning a one-point halftime lead into a convincing victory. Madison Layden locked down on defense, holding Illinois leading scorer Aaliyah Nye to just four points on 2-of-5 from the floor.
Despite a cold first quarter in which Purdue shot 16.7 percent (3-of-18) compared to 41.7 percent (5-of-12) by Illinois, the Boilermakers only found themselves down by four. After 18 points combined between the two teams through the first 10 minutes, both teams scored more than 18 points on their own in the second quarter.
Nearing the end of the half, head coach Katie Gearlds called for a full-court press to stifle the Illini attack. The move paid off as Illinois turned the ball over. Terry found Cassidy Hardin for a wide open three to give Purdue its first lead of the game. The Boilermakers remained ahead going into the locker room, 32-31.
Maintaining the momentum they took into the halftime break, the Boilermakers built their lead to double digits in the third quarter. Purdue limited Illinois to just seven points over the 10-minute period, pushing the cushion to a dozen, 50-38.
The Boilermakers increased the advantage to as many as 18 in the final quarter. Terry continued her dominance on both sides of the floor, helping Purdue collect another win against her former team.
QUOTE
"We talked earlier today – have a passion for the game of basketball and have a passion for the person fighting next to you. Have fun – not everybody gets an opportunity to play college basketball. There's a time in our lives when this little girl picked up a basketball and fell in love with the game. Find that joy."
NOTES
- Purdue now leads the all-time series 64-18, which includes winning six straight at Mackey Arena.
- The Boilermakers swept the season series for the fifth time in the last six years.
- Against her former team, Jeanae Terry recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 11 points and 17 rebounds.
- Terry pulled down 17 boards for the second straight game, matching her career high.
- Freshman Ava Learn reached double figures for the first time as a Boilermaker, scoring a career high 12 points.
- Brooke Moore's team-high 14 points marked her 14th double-digit game this season, all coming off the bench.
- Purdue held Illinois to 1-of-13 from beyond the arc, the fourth time this season limiting an opponent to one 3-pointer or less.
UP NEXT
The Boilermakers return to the road, traveling to New Jersey in hopes of sweeping the season series with Rutgers (Feb. 20). Tipoff from Jersey Mike's Arena is set for 1 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.