Lady Boilers Finish Strong and Get Past Iowa

Purdue battled and finally put Iowa away in the fourth quarter, winning 90-73.

After a spirited, but unsuccessful finish to the Nebraska game Purdue (15-4, 6-2) came out determined in the first quarter against Iowa. Down 4-5 Purdue ran off 12 straight, April Wilson had half of the 12. Three consecutive possessions Purdue turned the Hawkeyes over then got a basket on the other end. Later in the period Tiara Murphy applied the pressure picking up a steal and assist on back to back possessions; Bridget Perry converted the both steals for layups. Murphy made another contribution drilling a three for Purdue's last points of the quarter, putting Purdue up 15. At the end of the quarter Purdue was up 28-15.

Purdue committed no turnovers and forced Iowa into six turnovers in the first quarter. In the second quarter the roles reversed, Iowa committed two turnovers and forced Purdue into seven turnover; the Boilers struggled against Iowa's 2-3 zone. Iowa wasted no time getting back in the game hitting their first five shots, including three triples, two coming after Purdue turnovers. After Iowa cut the margin to five Ashley Morrissette answered for the Boilers pushing the lead back to eight. Two slumps allowed Iowa to chip away at Purdue's lead. Dominique McBryde slowed Iowa's momentum after the first run countering with back to back post-ups. Bridget Perry ended the second slump with a three to break the tie and put Purdue up 43-40 at the end of the half. Iowa shot 9-for-12 during the period.

Out of the half Purdue made adjustments and got better and better looks against Iowa's zone. Iowa scored the first three points of the second half and tied the game at 43. Then April Wilson took over for a stretch. Wilson scored layups on back to back possessions, putting Purdue up four. After an Iowa score Bree Horrocks converted a three-point play. Wilson then connected from behind the arc on consecutive possessions to help Purdue to a seven point advantage. Iowa battled back drawing within one after back-to-back three-point plays. Purdue answered with an Andreona Keys layup. Iowa countered and this time Morrissette got the basket to extend the lead. Purdue grew their lead only to see it cut back to two twice. Purdue closed the quarter strong with two inside scores and a 69-63 lead.

The quarter started with an Iowa free-throw then Purdue took over, shutting Iowa down on defense and converting on offense. After Purdue cracked Iowa's zone in the third period, the Hawkeyes switched back to a man defense and Purdue took advantage of that as well, getting plenty of close range looks. On the other end Purdue switched up their defense alternating between man and 2-3 zone. For the first time all game, the Hawkeyes were missing more than they were making. Purdue outscored Iowa 21-10 during the period to get the 90-73 win. Dominique McBryde scored 12 of her 18 points in the final period.

Ally Disterhoft led the Hawkeyes with 21 points. Tania Davis scored 14 points and had seven assists. Christina Buttenham also had 14 points. The Hawkeyes shot 52% from the field and committed 19 turnovers.

April Wilson recorded a double-double with 24 points and 12 assists. Wilson was 10-for-16 from the floor 3-for-5 behind the arc. Dominique McBryde led inside with 18 points, six rebounds, three blocked shots, and a steal. Ashley Morrissette recorded 15 points, three assists, and two steals. Andreona Keys posted 10 points, five rebounds, five assists, and four steals. Bree Horrocks was perfect from the floor finishing with nine points and five rebounds. Purdue shot 58% from the field and behind the arc. Purdue had 13 turnovers and out rebounded Iowa 34-20.

Next Purdue travels to Michigan State on Wednesday to take on the Spartans.