University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Purdue
GOPHER WOMEN FALL TO DEFENDING NATIONAL CHAMPS
1/16/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The Gophers turned the ball over nine times and missed their first six shots to start the game before Cassie VanderHeyden's three-pointer at the 10:55 mark broke the scoring drought for Minnesota. After their horrific start, the Gophers rebounded to hit 8-of-12 shots in the last 11 minutes of the half, but Purdue's 53 percent field goal percentage did not allow Minnesota to get any closer than 10 points in the first half. Purdue held a 42-24 lead at the half.
The teams played to a near draw in the second half as Purdue maintained its double-digit lead. Senior forward Moneeke Bowden scored 12 of her 15 points after the half as the Gophers' outscored the Boilermakers, 36-35, in the second half.
Bowden was one of three Gophers to score in double figures. VanderHeyden tallied 17 points, 12 from three-point range, to capture game honors. Lindsay Lieser chipped in 14 points.
Purdue guard Katie Douglas, the Big Ten's leading scorer averaging over 20 points a game, was held to 12 points but the Naismith Award candidate found other ways to make her presence known on the court. Douglas dished out a career high 10 assists, pulled down nine rebounds and snagged three steals.
Minnesota's begins a three-game homestand on Thursday, Jan. 20, when the Gophers host Northwestern.
