WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Saige Stahl tallied a career-high 16 points Sunday afternoon as part of her fourth double-double of the season, but Purdue's offense was too much for Indiana State to overcome in an 87-68 loss for the Sycamores inside Mackey Arena.
 
Stahl also led the Trees with a game-high 13 rebounds, while Bella Finnegan added a season-high and game-high 22 points off the bench. Deja Jones and Chloe Williams were both in double-figures with 10 points apiece.
 
Indiana State kept things close early on thanks to six points from Stahl in the first quarter, but Purdue shot better than 50 percent from the field in the first half to build a double-digit lead. Finnegan caught fire with 10 points in the third quarter and Indiana State shot the ball well from distance in the fourth, but the early hole proved costly for the Sycamores in defeat.
  
First Half
Indiana State went to its post players for early production, with Stahl and Williams scoring the first baskets for the Sycamores. Jones and Stahl added baskets for the Trees after Purdue had built a double-digit lead, and Finnegan drained a 3-pointer from the wing to cut the deficit down to 16-11 with less than two minutes to play in the opening quarter. Late baskets inside the final 90 seconds from Stahl and Jones gave the Sycamores a strong end to the first, as Indiana State trailed 20-15 after the first 10 minutes.
 
Jones kept it at a five-point deficit with an early second quarter jumper, but Purdue rattled off a 10-2 run to push its lead back into double-figures. Stahl went back to work with a pair of baskets, including a three-point play, and Mia Simpson added a basket for the Blue and White midway through, but Purdue's offense clicked on all cylinders in the second. Finnegan knocked down another late three-ball, but the Sycamores trailed 46-27 at the break.
 
Second Half
Finnegan had the hot hand early in the third with a pair of threes and a layup in the first 3:30 of game time. Stahl continued her attack on the glass with a second chance basket and Jones added a layup for the Blue and White. Finnegan and Williams both hit a pair of late free throws, with Williams also adding a basket down low as part of a six-point quarter, but the Sycamores faced a 72-48 deficit heading into the fourth.
 
Indiana State found its stroke from behind the arc in the fourth, as Stahl, Finnegan and Queen Ruffin all connected from deep in the quarter. Williams and Jones added layups for the Trees, with Keslyn Secrist joining the scoring with a layup late, as the Sycamores continued to battle despite the deficit. A late trey from Finnegan pushed her over the 20-point mark for the afternoon, but Indiana State dropped its non-conference finale by a 87-68 margin.
 
News and Notes

• Indiana State outscored Purdue 20-15 in the fourth quarter and was all square with the Boilermakers in the second half (41-41).
• Indiana State was even with Purdue in rebound margin (40-40) and had 16 offensive rebounds.
• Saige Stahl's 16 points were a career high, while her 13 rebounds were a game high as part of her team-leading fourth double-double.
• Indiana State had four in double-figures, marking the third straight game that four Sycamores scored in double-digits.
• Bella Finnegan became the third different Sycamore to score 20-plus points in a game this season, joining Keslyn Secrist and Chloe Williams.
• Bella Finnegan (22) and Saige Stahl (16) were the two highest scorers for either team in Saturday's game.

 
Up Next
Indiana State plays its first home game in more than six weeks when it opens MVC play December 29 at 2 p.m. against Northern Iowa.
 
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