Fort Wayne, IN – The Purdue Fort Wayne women’s basketball team (19-5, 14-0 Horizon League) looked to make a statement a day removed from National Girls & Women In Sports Day. Statement made. Oakland (8-14, 6-7 Horizon League) looked to improve upon and avenge their 40-point loss to PFW at home on January 5. Well, they only lost by 27. The Mastodons used some textbook rebounding and their bread and butter 3-point shooting to cruise past Oakland by a score of 75-46 for Purdue Fort Wayne’s 16th consecutive victory. This Mastodon team is an absolute wagon, and this wagon is on fire!
First Quarter: Lauren Ross did what she does best and got the scoring started for the game with a three-pointer. The ‘Dons tacked on an offensive rebound and a bucket from Renna Schwieterman. The next time down the floor saw an Amellia Bromenschenkel offensive rebound turn into an Audra Emmerson three-pointer. Lauren Ross did what Lauren Ross does and scored 9 first quarter points on 3-for-5 three-point shooting. With the shot clock winding down for the Golden Grizzlies, Jordan Reid stole the ball to give the ball back to the Mastodons with the shot clock turned off.
The ‘Dons tied to end the quarter with a heavy hitter by running a set to end the quarter. The shot from Audra Emmerson couldn’t find the bottom of the net, but Renna Schwieterman was there for yet another offensive rebound and beats the buzzer with a 4-foot shot. Mastodons led at the break 18-11. The Mastodons recorded a ridiculous 9 offensive rebounds in the first quarter – yes, you read that right. 9 offensive rebounds in the first quarter. The Fort Wayne native, Sydney Graber, led the charge in cleaning the class. Graber, playing more minutes with senior Jazzlyn Linbo out with injury, recorded 6 offensive rebounds by herself in 9 minutes of play throughout the game.
Second Quarter: The Mastodons started the 2nd quarter in a similar way to how they ended the 1st. A Jordan Reid steal this time led to an Audra Emmerson three-pointer. On the next PFW possession, the “So You Want To Be a Coach” selection Emmerson hits another outside shot on next possession. A clinical breakdown of the defense by Sydney Freeman resulted in a no look bounce pass to Renna Schwieterman who scored a wide-open layup. Midway through the quarter, Amelia Bromenschenkel grabbed offensive rebound number 10 and made the heads up play to throw it off Oakland to send to media timeout. A minute later, Graber tipped up a missed shot to keep it alive, and the ball was corralled by Bromenschenkel for another offensive rebound and easy layup.
The Mastodons nearly held Oakland’s leading scorer on the season scoreless in the first half. It took Maddy Skorupski (17.6 PPG) all of 19 minutes and 59 seconds to score on a buzzer beater fast break layup off of her own steal to end the half. The Mastodons would take a 37-18 lead into the locker room. The Mastodons ended with 26 rebounds in the first half – 13 offensive rebounds, 13 defensive rebounds.
Third Quarter: The second half started with Amellia Bromenschenkel nailing a corner three assisted by Lauren Ross – returning the favor for the first bucket of the game. Audra Emmerson added to her point total not even a minute later with another three-pointer. Amellia Bromenschenkel then made the circus shot potentially of the year for the ‘Dons. Backing down in the post, Bromenschenkel loses the handle momentarily before regaining it. Turning to her right shoulder, “Money” ‘Millie gets off a scoop shot under and through Oakland’s Lianna Baxter’s arms. The ball hit below the rim on the glass but had enough English on it to roll over and into the rim. Amelia then did the easy part and made the free throw for the three-point play.
The Barbasol Close Shave Play of the Game went to a sequence that started with a block by Sydney Freeman on Maddy Skorupski, the rebound gathered by Taeya Steinauer, and then a full court pass to a sprinting Jordan Reid for the fast break layup. This sequence only took 3.5 seconds… the Mastodons were scoring and scoring quickly. Sophomore Guard and Furman transfer Ella Riggs came into the game midway through the third quarter to rest some of the PFW starters and had a nifty assist to Sydney Graber in the 4th. Freshmen Madelyn Geers and Reese Polega saw minutes in the 3rd and 4th quarters as well.
Fourth Quarter: The Mastodons cruised through the 4th quarter. A Sydney Freeman jumper, two Bromenschenkel free throws, and two Freeman free throws started the scoring for PFW. Then more of the Bromenschenkel and Freeman show – Bromenschenkel grabbed offensive rebound number 16 and kicked it back outside to Sydney Freeman for yet another Mastodon three-pointer. Sydney Graber then added 4 points on two post moves to her glass cleaning service. Oakland’s Jaidyn Elam made a free threw at 1:24 remaining in the game, and this would be the final score of the game.
Stats and Leaders: The Mastodons were led in scoring by some very familiar faces to the scoring column by the ways of Audra Emmerson (15 PTS) and Lauren Ross (12 PTS). The Mastodons had a very balanced scoring attack with nine players contributing to that category – Bromenschenkel (10 PTS), Schwieterman (9 PTS), Reid (9 PTS), Graber (8 PTS), Freeman (7 PTS), Steinauer (3 PTS), and Geers (2 PTS).
The Mastodons put on a rebounding clinic in the Gates Center. As a team, the Mastodons gathered 42 rebounds – 17 OREB & 25 DREB. The 17 offensive rebounds set a new season high for the Mastodons. Individually, PFW was led by a career day for Sydney Graber with 10 rebounds on her own (6 OREB, 4 REB). Renna Schwieterman and Audra Emmerson secured 7 and 6 rebounds respectively.
The ‘Dons also “got the ball happy” on offense. The Mastodons recorded 20 assists on 28 field goals. Coach Maria Marchesano’s squad shot on par from outside the arc, notching 12 triples on the night. Audra Emmerson and Sydney Freeman notched a ridiculous +/- in this game. With Emmerson on the floor, the Mastodons were +28. Sydney Freeman was one better at +29.
Oakland was led in scoring by Macy Smith (15 PTS) and Dani Grim (8 PTS). The Mastodons held Maddy Skorupski to a near season-low 6 points (3 points against Richmond on 11/29). Lianna Baxter contributed a solid game of 7 points and 7 rebounds for the Golden Grizzlies.
What’s Next:
Oakland continues their road trip for a matchup against the Cleveland State Vikings for a noon ET tip-off in Cleveland. Oakland currently sits at a record of 6-7 in the Horizon League good for that very important 4th place in the Horizon League standings. The Golden Grizzlies sit a half-game above Detroit Mercy in the standings.
The first place Mastodons are back in action to wrap up Mastodon Mania on Saturday, February 8. The women’s basketball team has the matinee matchup against the Wright State University Raiders at 4:00pm ET at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. The men’s basketball team will play Green Bay following the women’s game at 7:00pm ET. Both games will be broadcasted on ESPN+.
