The Purdue Northwest Women's Basketball team fell in their home opener on Tuesday night, falling 85-75 to Illinois Springfield in non-conference action.

The Basics

• Records: Purdue Northwest (1-2, 0-0 GLIAC), Illinois Springfield (1-2, 0-0 GLVC)
• Location: PNW Fitness & Recreation Center – Hammond, Indiana
• Attendance: 200

Inside The Numbers

• Sophomore Ciara Sims (Fort Wayne, Ind./Snider) led Purdue Northwest with 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting while adding three rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
• Sophomore Cameryn Phillips (Aurora, Ill./Example Academy) followed with 17 points on 6-of-15 shooting, knocking down five threes while adding eight assists.
• Senior Alyssa Cole (Nashville, Ill./Nashville Community) posted 10 points on 3-of-6 shooting and matched a team-high with six rebounds along with four assists.
• Sophomore Riley Milausnic (Dyer, Ind./Lake Central) added nine points and six rebounds while recording one steal.
• Sophomore Caley Strahan (Kankakee, Ill./Bishop McNamara Catholic) finished with seven points, four rebounds, and two assists.
• Sophomore Aniyah Bishop (Hammond, Ind./Lake Central) chipped in six points off the bench with four rebounds and a steal.
• PNW shot 26-of-57 (45.6%) from the field, 8-of-18 (44.4%) from three, and 15-of-20 (75%) at the line.
• The Pride totaled 30 rebounds, 19 points off turnovers, and 12 points from the bench.
• Illinois Springfield shot 29-of-54 (53.7%) from the floor, including 12-of-18 (66.7%) from deep, and 15-of-19 (78.9%) at the stripe.
• UIS was led by a balanced effort featuring four double-digit scorers: Allysia McDaniel (13 points, 13 rebounds), Julia Mingus (13 points), Kennedy Osterman (12 points), and Molly Knight (12 points).
• The Prairie Stars recorded 27 points off turnovers, 34 bench points, and 12 made threes to create separation.

The Breakdown

• Illinois Springfield opened the game with efficient perimeter shooting, taking a 16-11 lead after the first quarter.
• PNW found offensive momentum in the second quarter, shooting 64 percent from the field and staying within reach as UIS carried a 41-36 lead into halftime.
• UIS delivered its biggest punch in the third quarter, shooting 10-of-12 overall and 2-of-2 from deep to outscore PNW 25-16 and build a double-digit advantage.
• The Pride continued to compete in the fourth quarter, scoring 23 points and generating transition opportunities, but UIS' hot shooting night prevented a full comeback.
• Illinois Springfield's efficiency from three, 27 points off turnovers, and strong bench production proved to be the difference despite a solid offensive showing from PNW.

Up Next

• Purdue Northwest now hits the road to compete in the Quincy Classic from Friday, November 21-Saturday, November 22. PNW takes on McKendree on Friday with tip-off set for 5:00 PM CT in Quincy, Illinois.