Purdue Women Lose to Iowa in Big Ten Tournament

The match-up between the fourth place teams in the conference was a good one. Sadly it was not the Lady Boilermakers who came out on top losing to Iowa 87-80.

For most of the first half the teams traded blows. Neither team was able to keep the lead for an extended period; there were six lead changes. Iowa started the shooting the ball well but then fell off. This was due in part to foul trouble. Starters Samantha Logic, Bethany Doolittle, and Melissa Dixon were all sent to the bench after picking up their second fouls. Additionally Ally Disterhoft left the game briefly after crashing the back of her head against a cameraman's chair.

Purdue took advantage. With 6-4 Doolittle out Liza Clemons went to work on the block pouring in 6 points and pulling down some big rebounds. Courtney Moses also started the game hot finishing the half with 14 points. Purdue led 39-35 at the break. Purdue kept Iowa in the game turning the ball over 12 times which the Hawkeyes turned into 19 points.

The second half was different. With their starters back in the shots started falling for Iowa. Bethany Doolittle made up for lost time scoring all 16 of her points in the second half. Melissa Dixon tallied 13 of her 18 after the break. Ally Disterhoft scored 10 of her 12 points in the last 5:38. A Disterhoft layup gave Iowa the lead with 3:48 remaining.

Down three with 1:45 left Purdue called a timeout. Sadly Purdue couldn't get anything out of the next posession as April Wilson turned it over. On the other end Doolittle hit a jumper to extend the lead to five. Moses' three missed and the Hawkeyes hauled in the rebound. The Hawkeyes called a timeout and scored out of the break going up 81-74. Iowa eventually stretched their lead to nine after Purdue put them at the free throw line.

Purdue shot 50% from the field, but it was the turnovers that did them in. The Boilers turned the ball over 20 times which Iowa turned into 32 points. Purdue was only able to turn Iowa's 11 turnovers into 12 points. Iowa shot 54% in the second half.

All of Iowa's starters finished with double digit points; Disterhoft 12, Dixon 18, Logic 12 and 11 assists, Theairra Taylor 17, and Doolittle 16.

Moses finished with 24 for the Boilers. Clemons had 14 and Wilson added 10. Whitney Bays put up a double-double with 14 and 10.

Iowa advances to the semifinals to face Ohio State who knocked off Penn State 99-82.

Purdue will await the selection show on March 17 to find out who they will play in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Purdue will host the first and second rounds to be played the weekend of the 22nd.