One of the most storied rivalries in all of athletics, the Indiana – Purdue opening chapter dates back to 1901 during their first pair of meetings. There is dispute as to the final score, and some even contest one of those first 2 games even happening. From alleged sucker punches and thrown chairs to a Sweet 16 face-off, 120 years of fierce competition between the Hoosiers and Boilermakers still refuses to disappoint.
Just 3 weeks ago in West Lafayette, The Indiana University Women’s Basketball team added to the competitive legend by staging a gut-wrenching overtime victory, after closing a significant deficit late in regulation. On Sunday, February 6th, the Boilermakers made the 115-mile trek to Bloomington in an attempt to return the favor to the nation’s 5th ranked basketball team. And this match-up did not dissatisfy, demonstrating all of the deserved passionate play of these two collegiate teams.
Purdue was hot from the onset and Indiana missed their first 5 shots, without being able to collect an offensive rebound. The challenges on offense would sporadically continue for IU throughout the game, who wound up only shooting less than 39% from the field throughout the day, including just 4-11 from beyond the arc, and 12-16 from the free throw line. But there were several silver linings for the Hoosiers after the conclusion of the first quarter. The Hoosiers battled back with an 8-0 run, led by the play and energy of Chloe Moore-McNeil. Moore-McNeil came in off of the bench to match against the Purdue 5 Guard set which they switched in and out during the game. After the first 10 minutes of play, she had already earned 6 points and 3 rebounds, making her way toward her first career double/double of 11 points and 10 rebounds.
During the post-game press conference, a humble Moore-McNeil firmly contended that her statistic achievement, “never would have happened without the support of [her] teammates.”
Indiana would make up for the lack of offensive production with their signature defense, holding Purdue to 38% shooting from the field and 4-14 from the 3-point line. Although, the Boilermakers would not give up, cutting down a 19-point deficit late in the 3rd quarter to 11 points. Purdue would come within 5 late in the 4th, but as we have seen in the past, the Hoosiers were able to turn it up a notch down the stretch with important stops and made free throws.
“We play our game, and we win,” said Nicole Cardano-Hillary, who scored 19 and added 7 rebounds, a block, and 2 steals against the Boilermakers.
Win they do . . . and each game seems to be a customized blueprint for victory. This game, Chloe Moore-McNeil stood out; although, this year’s Hoosiers have an ensemble cast, in which any given night could present a starring role for any of them. And just because a player may not have been spotlighted in the box score, does not minimize the importance of her role.
Ali Patberg was quiet on offense, only scoring once, which is not typical for the seventh-year collegiate player. Patberg’s imperative contribution during the game might not appear on a highlight reel but perhaps should be the biggest story of the day. Patberg held Purdue’s leading scorer to zero points. Sophomore Guard Madison Layden, who took IU for 15 just 3 weeks ago, and averages 12 on the season, played 35 minutes without scoring. Patberg was phenomenal in her guarding of Layden, keeping her in check off of the boards and getting her to commit 4 personal fouls along the way.
“Ali. being the senior veteran she is, understands in order to help her basketball team, that can come in different ways, and it may not be scoring,” said IU Head Coach Teri Moren. “I thought [Patberg] was great defensively this afternoon for us,” she added.
“We put Ali Patberg on the best perimeter player of the opposing team, and that says a lot,” continued Coach Moren about the trust they place in their teams on-court leader. “The great thing about Ali is that she’s going to do whatever we ask her to do, whatever she needs to do in order to help her team be successful.”
Cardano-Hillary led the Hoosiers with 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals; Moore-McNeil had 11 points and 10 rebounds; Grace Berger added 17 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals; Aleska Gulbe, 11 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks; and, Patberg had 2 points, 5 rebounds, 1 block, and 1 steal.
Next up, Indiana takes to the road to play Illinois this Wednesday night at 8pm, a reschedule of a previously postponed match-up. Following, IU has rescheduled another postponement for this coming Saturday, as the Hoosiers will face Michigan State at Assembly Hall, starting at 3pm.
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