Boilers get win No. 10
Dee Dee Williams came into Sunday's game at Oakland having scored only 19 points through the first 10 contests of the season. And she had only two career three-pointers.
Both statistics seemed to matter little vs. the Golden Grizzles, as the junior guard scored a career-high 14, hitting all four of her three-pointers, in Purdue's 77-46 win.
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"Big time," Coach Sharon Versyp said during her post-game radio interview. "Dee Dee was so proud. They were going to play off of her and she hit that first jumper, that 15-footer, and after that she was like 'OK, I'm just going to keep shooting.' She got into a zone.
"Dee Dee stepped up to another level and that will continue to help us. She knows she can shoot it and being 4-of-4 is pretty special."
Purdue was dominant in many facets. Facing an Oakland team with a major size deficit, it got numerous easy looks inside and shot 56.3 percent from the floor. The Boilers outrebounded the hosts 35-22. And they went to the line 18 times, hitting 15, compared to only four trip for the Grizzlies.
"This was our first really statement road win," Versyp said. "Neutral sites are fine, but we hadn't done that in a true road game and this is our first. We played very well from start to finish."
Forward Drey Mingo led the No. 15 Boilers (10-1) with 19 points on 6-of-10 shooting, while fellow forward Sam Ostarello had 10 rebounds, with seven points.
"We tried to go inside-outside really early," Versyp said. "Our post players finished down low very well today. And I thought that was very big, and rebounding was big."
Purdue hit eight three-pointers, led by Williams' four. Courtney Moses scored 13, while KK Houser had nine, with five assists.
The Boilermakers took the lead with 13:33 left in the first half, when Mingo hit the first of her two free throws. Moses followed with a three-pointer, stretching the edge to five.
It reached 10 when April Wilson hit a triple with about 2:30 left in the first half.
After leading by 11 at the break, the advantage reached 20 for the first time when Moses hit a jumper four minutes into the second.
Now, Purdue comes home to play IUPUI on Friday afternoon in Mackey Arena.
"We'll play at noon, then get ready for Christmas break," Versyp said.