Purdue Calumet Holds Off Wittenberg to Finish 2-0 on Ohio Trip
The No. 15 Purdue University Calumet women’s basketball team withstood a late rally to defeat host Wittenberg University on the final day of the Charles B. Zimmerman Classic Wednesday in Springfield, Ohio.
The Peregrines (12-3) led by as many as 17 with 9:06 left in the fourth quarter before the Tigers (3-6) pulled within two, 51-49, with 33 seconds left behind a 23-8 run. But Purdue Calumet used its 18-of-20 performance from the free-throw line — including a perfect 4-for-4 in the final 30 seconds — to seal their second-straight road win.
Darien Thompson (Anderson, Ind./Anderson) led the way for Purdue Calumet, scoring 17 points and Cassidy Deno (Otterbein, Ind./Benton Central) added 13 points and nine boards in the victory.
Purdue Calumet returns to action Tuesday, Jan. 5, when the Peregrines host Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference South Division leader and No. 10 St. Francis (Ind.) at 5 p.m. CT at the Fitness and Recreation Center.
The Peregrines led 27-13 at halftime, holding the Tigers to just six field goals and 20 percent shooting in the first half. After a nearly-even third frame, Purdue Calumet extended that lead to its largest of the game at 17 after a Deno layup, before Wittenberg enacted its final run.
Thompson and Deno each made a pair of free throws in the final seconds and the Peregrines benefited off a late Wittenberg turnover to come away with its second in as many days after Tuesday’s five-point victory over Baldwin-Wallace (Ohio).
Junior Patrice McBee (Culver, Ind./Culver Community) added eight points and five rebounds and sophomore Katie Wampler (Scottsburg, Ind./Scottsburg) nearly had a double-double with nine points and eight boards to aid the Peregrines.
Becca Ziska had 13 points and Taylore Bundy added 12 points to lead Wittenberg.
Purdue Calumet struggled from the field, shooting 28.8 percent (17-of-59) from the field compared to 33.3 percent (19-of-57) for the Tigers. The Peregrines edged WU on the boards, 42-40, and forced the Tigers into six more turnovers, 20-14.
Men's Basketball Defeats Marygrove 81-70 Wednesday Night
The Purdue University Calumet men’s basketball team defeated Marygrove College, 81-70, in a non-conference match-up Wednesday night at the Fitness and Recreation Center.
Junior guard LaBradford Sebree (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) led all scorers for the Peregrines (6-9) with 17 points and added eight rebounds while Darric Obinger (Munster, Ind./Calumet Christian) notched 15 points on 6-of 11 shooting
Senior Ryan Rader (Lombard, Ill./Willowbrook) added 12 points from 6-of-12 from the field and Danny Paschen (Schererville, Ind./Lake Central) grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds to round out the Peregrine leaders.
The Black and Gold (gained control early in the contest, after a three-point field goal from Obinger gave Purdue Calumet the early 10-2 advantage.
Marygrove (1-14) would answer the Peregrines, taking their first lead of the game after an 11-2 run led by Tyler Sykes put the Mustangs ahead 13-12.
Purdue Calumet would fight back to take a 24-17 lead on a trifecta by Max Clifford (Franklin, Ind./Roncalli) with just under 10 minutes remaining in the opening half.
Clifford would connect on another three pointer, followed by a slue of steals from the Peregrines defense and capped off by another three-point field goal from Sebree to give the Black and Gold a 45-31 lead at the half.
The Peregrines took control for the rest of the second half, garnering their largest lead of the game with five minutes remaining, on a layup by Ronald Karenzi (Kampala, Uganda/Rock Creek) which put the Black and Gold up 25, 72-47.
The Mustangs would capitalize on some Peregrine turnovers late in the final period, but it wasn’t enough as the Black and Gold came away with the 81-70 victory.
Wednesday’s win marked the first for Interim Head Coach Mike McKee in his first game coaching the Peregrine squad.
The Peregrines return to action on Saturday, Jan. 2, with a road contest against non-conference opponent Olivet College at 2 p.m. (CT).