HAMMOND, Ind. – Kiyah Hurst delivered her best performance of the season and Parkside turned a two-possession first-quarter game into a runaway Saturday, cruising past Purdue Northwest 92-46 at John Friend Court.
Parkside (8-8, 3-5 GLIAC) scored a season-high 92 points and held Purdue Northwest (3-13, 1-7 GLIAC) to 26% shooting, using a dominant second quarter to break the game open for good.
After a slow offensive start, the Rangers found their rhythm late in the opening period. Purdue Northwest jumped out 5-0 and led 9-6 midway through the first before Parkside took its first lead on Cassidy Arni's fast-break layup with 2:59 left. The Rangers closed the quarter in front 18-11, holding the Pride to 3-for-11 shooting in the period.
The game swung decisively in the second quarter. Parkside outscored Purdue Northwest 29-6 to take a 47-17 halftime lead, with the Rangers shooting 11-for-17 from the floor in the period while the Pride went 1-for-13. Parkside also knocked down five 3-pointers in the quarter and repeatedly turned defense into offense, building separation with transition scores and second-chance opportunities.
Parkside maintained control out of the break by winning the third quarter 25-14, pushing the advantage to 72-31 heading to the fourth. The Rangers continued to pressure Purdue Northwest into mistakes and finished the night with 37 points off 25 Pride turnovers, while also piling up 24 second-chance points.
Despite Purdue Northwest's best scoring quarter coming in the fourth, Parkside's lead never dipped into range as the Rangers closed the game with a 20-15 final period to secure the 46-point win. Parkside's largest lead reached 48.
Hurst was the headliner, scoring a season-high 20 points in just 14 minutes. She shot 7-for-14 from the field, hit 3-of-8 from 3-point range and went 3-for-3 at the free-throw line. She also added five rebounds and two blocks.
Parkside placed four players in double figures and got contributions throughout the rotation. Katie Hamill finished with 16 points on 5-for-11 shooting, going 2-for-4 from deep and 4-for-4 at the line. Arni added 11 points, four rebounds and a team-high five assists while recording four steals. Lexi Bugajski scored 10 points on 4-for-6 shooting with two 3-pointers and grabbed six rebounds. Lillie Petersen chipped in nine points in 15 minutes.
As a team, Parkside shot 48% from the floor (33-for-69) and 35% from 3-point range (10-for-29), while finishing with 21 assists. The Rangers controlled the interior with a 42-12 edge in points in the paint, won the bench scoring 44-13, and added 20 fast-break points.
Purdue Northwest was led by Alyssa Cole with 12 points and six rebounds, going 9-for-10 at the free-throw line. Cameryn Phillips and Ciara Sims scored eight points apiece. The Pride finished 13-for-51 from the field and 4-for-16 from 3-point range, while being out-assisted 20-6.
Parkside returns to action Thursday, Jan. 22, when it hosts the reigning national champions, No. 1 Grand Valley State, at 5:30 p.m. CT.
To follow the Rangers all year long, visit parksiderangers.com/coverage.
