EAST LANSING, MI — Purdue came back from a 15 point deficit, then let Michigan State score eight straight to lose 66-74.
Michigan State came out shooting on their home court. In total, the Lady Spartans landed eight 3-pointers, three coming in the first period. In comparison, Purdue’s three long range shots came in the third.
The visiting Boilermakers entered the locker room at half time trailing 26-39. MSU scored first in the second half before Purdue would take a 12-2 run into a 25 point third period. The final quarter began 51-54, MSU.
Sophomore guard Karissa McLaughlin entered the game with a team-high 60 three point shots. Her two in the third period helped Purdue put pressure on in the final 10 minutes.
Either Big Ten team could have taken this game. With three minutes left, Purdue managed to tie the game for the second time, 62-62. Tamara Farquar landed a fadeaway rebound after teammate Lyndsey Whilby made her two free throws from being fouled by MSU’s Nia Cloud. The Boilermakers had caught up again. The scoreboard read 66s with 57 seconds left.
Shay Colley hit the final field goal to put MSU up 68-66. In attempt to get possession, Purdue was forced to foul. Whilby turned the ball over leading to another trip to the foul line for the Spartans.
McLaughlin made the last attempt but missed the lay up. The last two free throws by Jenna Allen dropped in, and MSU won 74-66.
Ae’Rianna Harris led Purdue in the paint and from the free throw line, with six of her 20 points coming from nine free throws.
MSU’s Sidney Cooks and Shay Colley joined Harris with 20 points each. Spartan coach Suzy Merchant said that Cooks was key in the win, saying “she had the opportunity to go one-on-one … She scored in different ways in there and we really needed that from her.”
SCORE BY QUARTER
PURDUE: 16 10 25 15 – 66
MICHIGAN STATE: 21 18 15 20 – 74
Purdue is now 15-9, 6-5 in the Big Ten.
MSU is ranked 23 and is 16-5, 6-4.
