McLaughlin, Purdue women beat Illinois in Big Ten tourney

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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Karissa McLaughlin scored 17 points to lead four Purdue players in double figures and the No. 11 seed Boilermakers beat Illinois 72-60 on Wednesday in the first round of the Big 10 tournament.

Purdue will play sixth-seeded Nebraska in Thursday's second round.

Lyndsey Whilby had 14 points while Ae'Riann Harris and Dominique Owen added 13 apiece for the Boilermakers (18-14).

Illinois used a 9-2 spurt to take its first lead when Alex Wittinger's jumper made it 23-22 midway through the second quarter but McLaughlin answered with a 3-pointer and the Boilermakers led the rest of the way. Oden made back-to-back baskets to cap a 13-4 run that gave Purdue a 56-41 lead late in the third quarter and the Illini trailed by double figures the rest of the way.

Brandi Beasley had 18 points and Mackenzie Blazek scored 15 on 7-of-9 shooting for the Illini (10-20).

The Boilermakers used its 18-9 advantage on the offensive glass to outscore Illinois 17-7 in second-chance points.