Parkside 74, Purdue Northwest 72
Tuesday night's contest came down to the final possession as the Parkside Women's Basketball team found themselves tied with 5.5 seconds to go after being up 13 points with just over three minutes left in the game. The Rangers drew up a play for their leading scorer Alyssa Nelson, who sank a floater with 2.2 to go to give them a 74-72 lead. Parkside's defense held tight, and a Purdue Northwest jump shot missed front rim to give the Green & White their third win of the season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Neither team was able to create any separation in the first, with the lead flip-flopping for the entire quarter. The frame finished with a Pride buzzer beater to take the quarter, 16-15.  The second quarter was much of the same with Purdue Northwest extending their lead to 35-32 at the break.
 
Out of the half time break the visitors looked like they might run away with the game, but a timely six-point Parkside possession flipped the game on its head. The possession started with a made three from Nelson, shortly followed by an off-ball foul, that was followed up by another Ranger three, this time from redshirt-junior Claire Jakaitis. Those two threes started a 10-0 run that gave the Green & White a 52-49 lead towards the end of the third. With the momentum on their side, the Rangers started the fourth quarter on an 18-6 run that saw them grab a 13-point lead with 3:05 remaining in the game. That was when the Pride made their final push and went on a 13-0 run to tie the game, capped by a layup from Savaya Brockington with 5.5 seconds remaining. Brockington's layup prompted a Ranger timeout, where they were able to draw up a play to get the ball to Nelson, who hit a dagger with 2.2 to go.
 
HEAR FROM COACH CONELY
 
STATWORTHY
Parkside was led by a joint effort from Nelson and junior Hannah Plockelman. Nelson finished with a double-double, 18 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and three rebounds. Plockelman finished with a career-high 18 points to go with eight rebounds. Senior Alexis Vaughn also hit double-digits, finishing with 13 points. Purdue Northwest was led by Danielle Nennig, who finished with 19 points and five rebounds.
 
The Rangers won the rebounding battle 36-31, and tied the Pride with 40 points in the paint. One big difference between the two teams box score's was the Pride's 26 points off of 18 Ranger turnovers, compared to 8 Ranger points off of 11 Pride turnovers.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Parkside will head to Saginaw Valley State for a double-header against the Cardinals with game one scheduled for Friday, Jan. 29 at 4 p.m. and game two slated for Saturday, Jan. 30 at 2 p.m.