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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Purdue women's basketball team bowed out of the 2020 Big Ten Conference Tournament on Friday afternoon against top-seeded Maryland, but not before giving the No. 6 team in the nation all it could handle in a 74-62 loss in the quarterfinals at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Purdue (18-14) kept within striking distance of the Terrapins (26-4) through three quarters of play. The Boilermakers' defense found ways to stifle the fourth-highest scoring offense in the nation to nine points below its season average. Purdue totaled a season-high 12 blocked shots and held the Terrapins below 36% shooting for the for just the sixth time this season. Maryland shot 35.7% for the game, 11.8% below its season average.
For the second time in as many games, Fatou Diagne went for a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Karissa McLaughlin nailed a trio of 3-pointers, and Dominique Oden went 5-of-11 from the field, as the duo led the way with 15 points each. Ae'Rianna Harris added 10 points and six blocks.
The Boilermakers held pace with the conference co-champs in the opening quarter. Cassidy Hardin connected on a trio of 3-pointers, including a long-range effort as time expired. McLaughlin added another triple, as Purdue trailed 20-19 behind a 50% clip in the opening 10 minutes.
Purdue opened the second on a 5-2 swing to take at two-point lead. The Terrapins countered with a 15-3 run of their own to take an eight-point lead into the break. The Boilermakers used five first-half triples and 10 blocks to keep Maryland in check.
Purdue stayed within 10 points for most the third quarter, but Maryland used a nine-point run early in the fourth to open a gap just large enough that the Boilermakers could not overcome.
NOTES
• Maryland leads the all-time series 2-12 against Purdue.
• The Boilermakers are now 45-17 at the Big Ten Conference Tournament.
• Nyagoa Gony matched her career high with a pair of blocked shots off the bench.
• Oden made her 132nd career start on Friday, passing Erika Valek for the Purdue record.
• Harris played all 40 minutes for the first time this season and the seventh time in her career.
• Maryland won the rebounding battle 54-36. Purdue allowed just 17 points off 28 offensive rebounds.
• After the Terrapins scored 60 points in the paint during the their regular-season matchup, the Boilermakers allowed just 32 points inside on Friday.
• Harris set the program record for most blocked shots in a career at the Big Ten Tournament, finishing her four seasons with 28 rejections.
• Purdue tallied 19 assists on 23 made field goals, led by Oden and McLaughlin with eight and six dimes, respectively.
UP NEXT
The Boilermakers will have to wait 10 days for their postseason placement. The NCAA Selection Show on ESPN is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, March 16.
Stay up to date on all the latest scores, stats and stories surrounding Purdue women's basketball this season by following the team on Twitter (@PurdueWBB), Instagram (@PurdueWBB) and Facebook (/PurdueWBB).