Indiana women’s basketball returned to begin its two-game homestand with an afternoon matchup against Purdue. The Hoosiers seized control of the Boilermakers early, leading by 18 points less than five minutes into the game, en route to a 78-56 victory Saturday inside Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington.
With the dominant victory, the Hoosiers retain the Barn Burner Trophy for the ninth consecutive trophy game.
Junior guard Yarden Garzon scored each of Indiana’s first 7 points before the Hoosiers’ fastbreak offense began to plague the Boilermakers. After one quarter of play, the Cream and Crimson led by 20 points.
While Indiana’s second-quarter offense didn’t match the output from the opening quarter, it still outscored Purdue by 6 points in the period.
Graduate student guard Sydney Parrish paced the Hoosiers in the first half with 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field. Garzon was also in double figures with her 12 points.
As a squad, Indiana shot 57.6% from the field and 60% from beyond the arc as it led by 26 points at halftime.
Purdue responded with a 23-point third quarter as it went 7 for 14 from the field while holding the Hoosiers to 19 points. However, the Boilermakers still trailed by 22 points heading into the final period.
Both squads scored 11 points in the final quarter, but the Hoosiers cruised to a 22-point victory to retain the Barn Burner Trophy.
Parrish led all scorers with 19 points as she went 7 for 11 from the field and 3 for 5 from 3-point range. Garzon finished with 18 points while junior guard Shay Ciezki added 16. Despite the blowout win, Indiana racked up 16 turnovers — a consistent struggle it has endured this season.
The Hoosiers (16-9, 8-6 Big Ten) now have five days until their next contest, which is slated for 7 p.m. Thursday against No. 9 Ohio State (21-3, 10-3 Big Ten) inside Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Before traveling to Bloomington, the Buckeyes will first take on Iowa on Monday.
Follow reporters Dalton James (@DaltonMJames) and Savannah Slone (@savrivers06) and columnist Ryan Canfield (@RyanCanfieldOnX) for updates throughout the Indiana women’s basketball season.
