GBI Express

Gold & Black Express, Dec. 28 Edition

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Key Player Moses had plenty of energy for the game���s start, perhaps motivated by going scoreless in Purdue���s previous contest. She was a pest on the defensive end, with four steals, many of those spurring the fastbreak. She scored 18 on 7-of-10 shooting and had four assists. Key Stretch In the early going, Moses hit Dee Dee Williams for a fast-break layup, then found Sam Ostarello on the break for two more, putting the Boilers up 12-4. Minutes later, Ostarello found Drey Mingo over the top for a layup. Then, Moses went behindthe-back to April Wilson on the break, and turned her own steal into a three-point play. It ended with the Boilers up 23-13. Key Stat Purdue had 22 turnovers, many of them coming in the half court. ���We had some carelessness,��� Versyp said. ���I think our kids are tired. They���ve been through a lot, had finals, it���s a long week. ��� We did some great things, but we need a break.��� the Boilermakers took the lead about six minutes into the first half and never looked back, blowing out the host Grizzles. Key Player Williams came up big on the offensive end, scoring a careerhigh 14 points by hitting all four of her three-pointers. The junior guard had come into the game averaging only three points an outing. ���My teammates and coaches have been encouraging me to keep shooting,��� she said. ���In practice, I feel like I shoot a lot, but in games I don���t shoot much. In that game in particular, they were sitting off me so much I kind of felt disrespected. So I just decided to get over it and shoot the ball. If it goes in, it goes in; if it doesn���t, you���ve got to keep shooting.��� Key Stretch The Boilermakers took the lead with 13:33 left in the first half, when Mingo hit the first of her two free throws. Moses followed with a three-pointer, stretching the edge to five. It reached 10 when Wilson hit a triple with about 2:30 left in the first half. No. 15 Purdue 77, Key Stat Oakland 46 Purdue was dominant in Dec. 16 �����Athletics Center many facets. Facing an Oakland O���rena team with a major size deficit, it After starting a bit sluggish, got numerous easy looks inside Tom Campbell Drey Mingo was key against UT-Martin, reaching a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. and shot 56.3 percent from the floor. The Boilers outrebounded the hosts 35-22. And they went to the line 18 times, hitting 15, compared to only four trip for the Grizzlies. The Boilers committed only five fouls, tying an all-time program-low. their players had two fouls. But unlike the first game, a loss to UConn, Purdue came back to win, taking the lead early in the second and never relinquishing. Key Player Ostarello, who was in firsthalf foul trouble, helped lead the charge in the second. She scored 14 of her 16 points after the break and had 10 rebounds, while Mingo also had a double-double, with 11 and 10. Key Stretch Purdue quickly erased its four-point halftime deficit by scoring the first 15 of the second. Ostarello and Mingo combined for 13 of those points, as the Boilers took an 11-point edge. UT-Martin got back within seven a couple of times, but never closer. Key Stat Purdue dominated the interior, with Ostarello and Mingo having double-doubles and Manuel coming off the bench to score 16. The Boilers also held a 46-32 edge on the boards. Takeaways S Purdue���s hit its best-case scenario thus far for the non-conference, winning 11 of 12, with Dec. 9 �����Elam Center For only the second time this the only loss an expected one season, the Boilermakers trailed against No. 2 Connecticut. The at the half, partly because five of Notre Dame game will provide No. 15 Purdue 68, UT-Martin 60 a good measuring stick, to see where the Boilermakers stack up against top-10 teams nationally. Purdue doesn���t have to win in South Bend, where it hasn���t won since 2003, but a good showing would be a positive sign for Big Ten play. S Williams��� development could be a key for the rest of the season. After scoring 14 vs. Oakland, she had six against IUPUI, the best two back-to-back offensive games of her career. Given the space, she can be effective from 15 feet and perhaps step out for a threepointer. She doesn���t have to hit double figures every game, but keeping the defense honest is a must. S In all but one of Purdue���s games this season, the final margin has been double figures. And the outlier, an eight-point win vs. UT-Martin, wasn���t in question down the stretch. How will the Boilermakers handle a close game in the final minutes? We���ll likely find out soon. j GoldanDBlack express ��� volume 23, express 15��� ������ 34

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