University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Purdue
Gophers Capture Big Win Over Purdue
1/15/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The Golden Gophers scored 30 points off 32 Purdue turnovers as Minnesota captured a 74-47 victory over Purdue in Williams Arena on Thursday. Minnesota improved to 11-6 overall and 4-2 in Big Ten play.
Kiara Buford scored 18 points to lead three Gophers in double figures. Ashley Ellis-Milan added 17 points and China Antoine 16 as the Minnesota starting lineup combined for 68 points.
Neither team shot out of the gates quickly as just nine points were scored in game’s first five minutes. Antoine turned the tide with a jumper at the 14:56 mark that ignited a 10-2 Gopher run and give Minnesota the lead for good.
Purdue (8-9, 3-3) closed to within four points (20-16) on two Brittany Rayburn free throws with 5:08 left in the half, but Minnesota answered with a 7-2 spurt to end the half with a 27-18 lead.
The Boilermakers turned the ball over on their first three possessions in the second half and at one point had more turnovers (19) than points (18). The Gophers took advantage by scoring an 11-2 run grabbed control of the game.
The Boilermakers, who did not have a double-digit scorer in the game, made a push to cut the Gopher lead to 12 points at 45-33 on a Rayburn jumper. Ellis-Milan, who tallied 14 of her points in the second half, scored on a turn-around jumper on the next Minnesota possession to quash any hopes of another comeback like Illinois out of their minds.
The Gophers built on their lead as the second half went on. The final margin of victory – 27 points – matches the Gophers matches the biggest win over Purdue (115-88, 3/10/83).
Jackie Voigt pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds to help the Gophers take a 33-26 on the boards. She also added nine points and four assists.
Minnesota continues Big Ten play on Sunday with a game at Northwestern.
