Hey folks,
41.5 sec. remaining Purdue 26 - IU 24 Again, the Boilers are just a step ahead, though IU's defense has forced 10 turnovers to this point. But perhaps no longer. Roberson steals the ball from Freeman, takes it to the hole the other way, and gets the free throw, which she makes. Three-point play. FahKara Malone finally misses, and IU takes a slim lead into the break off the Roberson layup and foul. IU 27 - Purdue 26, Halfitme from Conseco.
-----
2:09 Purdue 24 - IU 22 The only real themes of this game so far are turnovers and Purdue's ability to stay one step ahead of IU. That thanks in no small part to FahKara Malone's shooting behind the arc: She's 2-of-4, the Hoosiers as a team are 2-of-8.
-----
5:11 Purdue 19 - IU 18 It's Purdue's kind of game - defensive - right now. But Nikki Smith just got a nice driving layup on the break after an impressive spin into the lane. Perhaps a new dimension to Smith's game?
-----
7:21 Purdue 17 - IU 16 Boiler Pete is air-guitaring at midcourt during the TV timeout. Methinks sometimes the lack of a mascot is not a bad thing. Still a close one here. Jori Davis looks fresh, but perhaps a little rusty. On the last possession, she got a step on her defender to the right and into the lane, but threw the ball away on an ill-advised dish to Whitney Thomas that skipped out of bounds.
-----
9:29 Purdue 15 - IU 14 The teams are still keeping it close. A 3-pointer from Jori Davis put the Hoosiers ahead but Purdue answered. Both teams are playing pretty tough defense right now, making each side earn their points. Mosley hits a two for Purdue, 17-14 Boilers.
-----
13:42 The teams are still trading buckets, and no one is asserting themselves. Jamie Braun's 3-pointer gives IU a slim lead, 9-8.
-----
15:23 IU 6 - Purdue 6 The teams are playing rather evenly at the moment, and it looks like it's going to be physical. Whitney Thomas just took Bogdanova down pretty hard at the top of the key, and the teams don't seem afraid to bang inside on either end.
-----
19:00 IU 2 - Purdue 0 Purdue wins the opening tip, but Kim Roberson gets the steal and a driving two at the other end. IU gets a jump ball at the other end, and it's Hoosier ball again.
-----
We're about to get started. Stay with us throughout the game for continuing in-game updates and analysis.
Starting lineups
IU F - Whitney Thomas F - Kim Roberson F - Amber Jackson G - Jamie Braun G - Nikki Smith
Purdue F - Natasha Bodanova F - Kiki Freeman C - Danielle Campbell G - Kalika France G - FahKara Malone
-----
Both teams just took the floor. Purdue will wear gold and the Hoosiers don their road reds as they are the lower-seeded team. Not too big a crowd here at Conseco, though both of these teams have probably the largest fanbases here from what little I've observed. We have a group of kids behind us courtside who are out in force and heavily IU partisan, so that's a definite plus for the Hoosiers.
The bands are battling at the moment, with IU countering Purdue's "Apple Bottom Jeans" rendition with their version of "Crazy Train." Both teams have headed to their respective benches, so next time up I'll have starters and the opening tip.
-----
We're hear at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis bringing you some Big Ten Tournament goodness. We have a match-up today between Indiana's biggest in-state rivals, the Hoosiers of IU and the Boilermakers of Purdue. The clock shows just under 10 minutes til game-time, so grab a quick lunch and check back with us, and we'll have the IU-Purdue Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal match-up for you.
In the meantime, I've linked to the stories Buckey and I wrote the first two times these teams met, so you can get a feel for what's happened this year. The last time these teams met was Jan. 14, so plenty has changed since IU beat Purdue in West Lafayette. Stick with us and we'll let you know how this season's chapter of the IU-Purdue rivalry ends. Jan. 3: Purdue 55 - IU 49 Jan. 14: IU 66 - Purdue 54
Both teams have headed the locker room for one more pregame talk. We'll have starting lineups and opening tip coming at you soon.
