Bowling Green State University’s women’s basketball team secured a 56-53 victory over Purdue Fort Wayne on Sunday at the Stroh Center. The Falcons improved their record to 3-4, while Purdue Fort Wayne dropped to 4-4.
Sophomore Johnea Donahue played a crucial role in the closing moments, contributing two defensive rebounds, two free throws, and a steal in the last 35 seconds. Donahue finished with 12 points, five rebounds, five assists, and six steals.
Junior Paige Kohler led Bowling Green with 15 points. Both Kohler and Donahue made important free throws late in the game.
Destiny Macharia gave Purdue Fort Wayne a brief lead with just over a minute left. Kohler responded by converting two free throws to put Bowling Green ahead. After several missed opportunities from both teams, Donahue was fouled with under six seconds remaining and hit both shots at the line to extend the lead to three points.
Purdue Fort Wayne’s final possession ended when Donahue deflected a pass as time expired.
For Purdue Fort Wayne, Lili Krasovec and Alana Nelson each scored 13 points. Rylee Bess added 11 points, while Jordan Reid contributed nine points and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds.
Off the bench for Bowling Green, Lauren Gerken scored eight points. Jaedyn Cook and Taya Ellis each had six points; Ellis also led her team with nine rebounds.
The game saw Bowling Green start strong before going scoreless for nearly seven minutes in the second quarter. Purdue Fort Wayne took advantage but could not hold off the Falcons’ late efforts.
Bowling Green will continue its six-game homestand on Wednesday against Kentucky State at the Stroh Center. Other upcoming home games include matchups against Defiance (Dec. 7), Lourdes (Dec. 14), Le Moyne (Dec. 16), and Kent State (Dec. 20), which will serve as their Mid-American Conference opener.
Fans can follow updates about Bowling Green women’s basketball on Facebook (@BGWBB), Twitter/X (@BGSU_Athletics and @BGSUWBB), Instagram (@bgsuwbb), or visit BGSUFalcons.com for more information.
