Kenosha, Wis. - Parkside completed a season sweep over Purdue Northwest, winning 78-68 on Saturday afternoon. Parkside displayed an incredible shooting performance, finishing 53% from the field, with four players finishing in double figures.
Inside the box score:
- Chloe Van Zeeland led the Rangers with 18 points. She added six rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and two steals in another tremendous performance at home.
- Cassidy Arni added 16 points on 8-of-11 shooting.
- Peighton Nelson notched 14 points and five assists.
- Parkside is now 11-0 when Nelson scores in double figures. Parkside shot over 50% for the fourth time this season.
How it happened:
In one of Parkside's best performances of the season, Cassidy Arni got the Rangers off to an efficient start. She pulled down an offensive board and laid it in for the first points of the game. Shortly afterward, Chloe Van Zeeland got herself on the board, beginning a big game with a two-point layup. However, Purdue Northwest got off to an even faster start, boosting themselves to an 18-9 lead with three minutes to play in the first quarter. Parkside came rumbling back, as Alli Hampel, Peighton Nelson, and Van Zeeland all nudged them closer. Sheridan Flauger finished the quarter with a bang, converting a three-point play in the final seconds. Parkside trailed 19-18 after one.
Alli Hampel, who reached a new season-high in minutes, connected on an early triple in the second quarter, and Parkside was back on top 21-19. Van Zeeland and Arni began to take over, as the duo sprung Parkside up by seven with four minutes to play. Both players finished in double figures by the half, and a 22-point second quarter put Parkside ahead 40-38 at the break.
After not scoring since the end of the first, Flauger made her presence felt early in the second half, nailing a three just seconds into the third quarter. Both Van Zeeland and Nelson followed with downtown hitters, and Parkside built their largest advantage up to that point, 53-45. Despite a valiant effort from Alyssa Cole of Purdue Northwest, who finished with a career-high 24 points, Parkside continued to have answers for her made shots. Nelson and Arni combined for the final eight Parkside points in the last three minutes of the third, and they took a narrow 61-57 lead into the final quarter.
In the fourth, Lillie Petersen was awoken, as she made a splash, drilling five straight Parkside points. Petersen continued her three-point streak, making it four consecutive games with a made triple. Her big shot put Parkside ahead by 10 with five minutes to play, sealing the victory. Parkside remains perfect against Purdue Northwest, improving their tremendous all-time record to 17-0. In the process, Parkside improved to 14-7 overall and 9-5 in GLIAC play.
Next:
Parkside will continue a critical homestand next week, with Davenport and Grand Valley State coming to town. Games are slated for Thursday night and Saturday afternoon. For coverage of the event, visit ParksideRangers.com/coverage.
