ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS - Emma O'Connor (Lynbrook, N.Y.) set a new career-high with 10 points, but it was not enough as the Marist women's basketball team fell 71-50 at the hands of #14/12 Purdue on Thursday night in the first game of the Paradise Jam tournament.
O'Connor also had a team-high five rebounds. Kristina Danella (Manalapan, N.J.) had seven points and Natalie Gomez (Andover, Mass.), Leanne Ockenden (Syracuse, N.Y.) and Madeline Blais (Exeter, N.H.) each had six points.
The Red Foxes (2-2) were down only 16-13 after a Danella jumper with 11:52 remaining in the first half, but Purdue (4-0) closed the half on a 23-6 run to take a 39-19 lead at the midway point.
Marist stepped up its defense in the second half and played even with the Boilermakers for the final 20 minutes. The defense forced 10 Purdue turnovers after halftime and 19 for the entrie game. After going 0-13 from three-point range in the first half, the Red Foxes were 5-14 in the second half, including two by Blais, who doubled her previous personal best.
The Red Foxes played second-ranked UConn tomorrow at 8:15 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on SNY.
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