Three Gophers scored in double figures, but Minnesota lost 67-54 in its home finale against Purdue. Whitney Tinjum had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds on senior night at Williams Arena.
Carlie Wagner scored 17 points and moved into eighth on the Gophers' all-time scoring list, passing Kiara Buford. She has 1,545 career points. Kenisha Bell joined Wagner and Tinjum in double figures with 14 points. Bell also had six assists and three steals.
Purdue shot just 39 percent, but Minnesota shot 34.5 percent. The Boilermakers outrebounded the Gophers 43-37. Ashley Morrissette led Purdue with 23 points.
Purdue went on an 8-0 run to lead 12-4 midway through the first. After the media timeout, Kenisha Bell hit a jumper and Wagner made a 3-pointer to end the Minnesota drought. The Boilermakers scored 14 points in the paint and led 17-12 through 10 minutes.
The Gophers made six of their first seven field goal attempts of the second after shooting 25 percent in the first. A Wagner jumper and two consecutive fastbreak baskets by Bell put Minnesota ahead 18-17. There were six ties and eight lead changes in the first half, and Purdue led 33-30 going into the locker room. Wagner and Bell combined for 23 points in the half.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Boilermakers led for the whole third quarter, with the Gophers cutting the deficit to 41-40 at one point. But Purdue went on a run to end the third, leading 52-45.
Tinjum scored Minnesota's first two baskets of the quarter but the Gophers got no closer than five points away from the Boilermakers.
The Gophers will conclude their regular season at Maryland on Sunday, Feb. 26. The game will tip off at 11 a.m. CT on BTN.
