Purdue Fort Wayne
Butler
Johnson's 31 Pushes 'Dons Past Bulldogs
1/20/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 20, 2007
Fort Wayne, IN - Ashley Johnson's 31 points pushed IPFW past the Butler Bulldogs, 82-75 on Saturday afternoon in the Gates Center. The 'Dons finished the first half with a two point lead, and continued that dominance in the second half to finish ahead by seven for their eighth win of the season.
Johnna Lewis-Carlisle started off on the right foot, hitting a three pointer just five seconds into the game. It would go back and forth for the next five minutes before Samantha Edwards tied the game up at 9 with 14:30 to go.
Hannah Thieke would hit two in a row from beyond the arc to take IPFW to a six point lead just two minutes later. The Bulldogs would tie the game up at 17 at the 7:22 mark, and take their largest lead of the half with 3:01 to go, 29-24. Edwards tied the game up one again with 42 seconds left in the half and Lewis-Carlisle would put IPFW ahead, 35-33 to finish the half.
"I feel that we competed very well today," said Chris Paul. "We had a good start and were making shots. Our defense was solid and the effort and enthusiasm carried for the entire 20 minutes of the half."
The Mastodons would dominate the beginning of the second half with Lewis-Carlisle hitting two shots and Lieselot Malfait making a lay-up to put the 'Dons up by eight, 41-33.
IPFW would hold a lead until the 13:28 mark when Butler ties the game at 45. But the 'Dons just couldn't be stopped at they ran out to another eight point lead with just under 11 minutes left in the game.
The Bulldogs would once again eat away at IPFW's lead, taking a three point lead of their own with 5:56 to go, 62-59. Johnson and Malfait answered back, taking the lead away just a minute later.
With 3:20 left to go in the game it was tied up for the third time of the half at 67. The Mastodons would roll from there, taking an eight point lead with just under a minute left and holding out for the win, 82-75.
"At halftime we challenged them to defend their home court. Many times this year we have led late in the second half and lost the game. They came out and did just that. I have to give Butler credit though, they battled. But every time they took away our lead we answered and pulled away at the end and finished well."
Johnson just missed her personal best of 32 today, connecting for 31 points. She was almost perfect at the line (9-10) and beyond the arc (4-5). Johnson added eight boards and five assists, playing every minute of the game.
Lewis-Carlisle also hit double figures with 19 points. She was 3 of 6 from the three point line with three steals and five assists.
Edwards connected for 12 points and five boards against the Bulldogs. She was perfect at the line (2-2) and was 5 of 15 from the floor. Edwards added two steals.
The Bulldogs were led by Susan Lester with 21 points and 11 boards. Jackie Closser was close behind with 19 points.
With the win, the Mastodons improve to 8-8 for the season, improving on last year's record of 7-21.
The Mastodons will host the Valparaiso Crusaders on Wednesday, January 24th in the Gates Center at 7 PM. They will then travel to NJIT for a 2 PM tip-off on the 27th before a three game homestand.
~Dons~
