Feb. 14, 2008
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue weathered numerous second-half surges by the University of Iowa and held on for a 59-46 victory in women’s basketball over the hot Hawkeyes on Thursday inside Mackey Arena.
Iowa (17-8 overall, 10-4 Big Ten) had its eight-game league winning streak halted. It is the first loss for the Hawkeyes in 34 days. Purdue improved to 14-11, 10-4 and the Boilermakers have now elevated themselves into a tie with Iowa for first in the conference.
“Purdue came out and played extremely hard,” UI head coach Lisa Bluder said. “They hit the quick three’s off the bat and that deflated us. That was a tough way for us to start the game.”
The Hawkeyes had their lowest point total in a game since losing 63-46 at Michigan on Dec. 30.
Iowa shot 34.6 points from the field (18 of 52). Leading the way offensively for Iowa was Wendy Ausdemore with 13 points and Megan Skouby with 11. Ausdemore, Skouby and Johanna Solverson all had five rebounds. Iowa made just seven of 24 field goals in the final 20 minutes (29.2 percent).
The Boilermakers were paced by three players in double figures — Lakisha Freeman with 18, Danielle Campbell with 14 and FahKara Malone with 12. Purdue made 24 of 59 field goals (40.7).
“We struggled offensively and we didn’t rebound like we are capable of,” Bluder said.
Iowa was out-rebounded for the game, 38-33, and committed five more turnovers than the Boilermakers (16-11).
With 4-minutes, 29-seocnds remaining, Iowa’s JoAnn Hamlin sank a three-point field goal (off an assist from Ausdemore), cutting Purdue’s lead to 50-46. The Boilermakers closed the game by scoring the final nine points as Iowa missed its final seven field goals.
Solverson handed out six of Iowa’s 14 assists. She opened the game with an assist to Kristi Smith, who gave the Hawkeyes its only lead at 2-0, some 21 seconds into the game.
Purdue dominated the boards in the first half and pulled out to a 36-27 lead at the break. The Boilermakers pulled down 21 rebounds during the first 20 minutes, including eight on the offensive glass. Iowa had 12 total rebounds (including three offensive) in the first half. Purdue made 16 of 35 field goals (45.7 percent) and the Hawkeyes were 11 of 28 from the floor (39.3).
Iowa returns to Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday, Feb. 17, for the “Think Pink” game against Minnesota. The Hawkeyes have won five consecutive games at home and won an overtime thriller at Minnesota on Jan. 3, 68-66. All fans are encouraged to wear pink to the game in support of this cancer awareness event. In addition to the Hawkeyes wearing pink-trimmed uniforms and warm-up shirts, there will be a number of promotional giveaways. Pink prizes will be given away throughout the game, including hats, crocs and tickets. Three-point field goal placards will be handed out at the door. Both the American Cancer Society and Holden Cancer Research center on the UI campus will have tables on the concourse and accepting any outside donations. ACS will be handing out shower cards as well.
“We have Minnesota coming in and we know that’s going to be a tough game,” Bluder said. “I’d like to see a great crowd. Our team needs to have some inspiration on Sunday.”
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