|
|
Douglas returns from ankle
sprain, scores 21
By Kyle Charters
Senior
Writer
IOWA CITY, Iowa — After sitting out the Boilers’
last game because of a high right ankle sprain, guard Katie Douglas
returned to score 21 points in 23 minutes off the bench against the
Hawkeyes on Thursday.
But the senior’s effort wasn’t enough
as Iowa (13-8, 8-3 Big Ten) used a quick start to defeat No. 5 Purdue
(21-4, 11-1) 96-87 in front of a crowd of 3,292 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
"I don’t think we came out ready to play,"
said Douglas, who sat on the bench for the first nine minutes of the
game as the Boilers fell behind 24-10. "And I can’t go in
there and work miracles or anything. I just think we need to come out
stronger in the first five minutes and really set the tone. I don’t
think we did that tonight. We let Iowa rattle us."
Douglas, who is averaging 14 points, 4.7 rebounds
and 3.8 assists per game this season, said it was her decision to play
against the Hawkeyes.
"As I was warming up I felt like I got my
ankle warmed up to where I could go a little bit," said Douglas.
"It was totally my decision, and I just went with it."
Purdue coach Kristy Curry said Douglas told her
several times that she would be ready to play — once on the trip
to Iowa City, again at the team’s hotel and once more before the
start of the game.
"She said ‘I promise you. I know I can
go.’ and I said ‘Well baby, then go,’" said Curry.
"I tried to do a pretty good job at times of trying to protect
her a little bit defensively."
Douglas said her ankle felt good during the game,
but she knows she’s not completely healthy.
"I know I am a couple steps slow," said
Douglas, who expects to play when Purdue faces Ohio State at 2 p.m.
on Sunday in Columbus, Ohio. "I can feel it in my footwork. I’m
not comfortable planting on that foot totally yet. But that doesn’t
give us any excuses for (Thursday night)."
For a while it looked as though Douglas’ presence
on the court might spur the Boilers to a comeback victory. After trailing
by 16 points at halftime, Purdue cut the deficit to five but couldn’t
get any closer.
Center Camille Cooper said having Douglas back
on the court gave the Boilers a boost.
"I think it was a lift both physically and
mentally," said Cooper, who had 19 points in the loss. "You
know she’s going to go out and give her best effort."
Even though the Boilers lost their first game of
the conference season, Curry saw Douglas’ return as a positive.
"I’m just real proud," said Curry.
"That’s why she’s an All-American — to come in and
get 21 points in 23 minutes. It was her decision to go. But if anything
would have happened bad, it would have been my decision. I’m just
thankful that she came through it OK. Sometimes she’s just the
heart and soul of this team."
|
Hot-shooting
Hawkeyes upset Boilers
Douglas
returns from ankle sprain, scores 21
Purdue
athlete travels more than 2,000 miles
Track
team to compete on faster banked track
The
one and only
Heavyweight
wins award
Softball
team begins season today at Auburn Invitational
Boilers
prepare for doubleheader with Miami, Illinois
Golf
team to open spring season at Gator Invitational
Equestrian
team to host competition
SPORTS DESK PHONE:
(765) 743-1111
ext. 251
Sports editor:
Paul Trembacki Assistant sports
editor:
Anne
McLaren
To
send a letter to the editor, please email opinions@purdueexponent.org
|
