WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue women's basketball team took care of business in their exhibition opener Sunday afternoon, posting an 88-39 victory over visiting University of Saint Francis in Mackey Arena. Senior Andreona Keys paced the Boilermakers with 21 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and a trio of steals in just 29 minutes against the Cougars.
Sunday's result was never in doubt for the Old Gold & Black as they raced out to a 19-0 lead against the visiting NAIA Division II squad and never looked back. Sophomore Lamina Cooper led the early charge with four steals in the first six minutes, while Keys converted the opportunities with eight first-quarter points.
Sophomores Dominique Oden and Ae'Rianna Harris teamed for 15 of the Boilermakers' 20 second-quarter points to lead Purdue to a 44-18 halftime edge, while freshman Karissa McLaughlin provided the third-quarter spark for the Old Gold & Black with three straight triples and a nine-point burst. Keys and Cooper finished up the rout in the fourth quarter with seven points apiece.
The Boilermakers cashed in 57.6 percent from the field Sunday (34-59), including a 43.8 percent clip from 3-point range (7-16). Purdue outrebounded Saint Francis 38-21, including 12 offensive rebounds, and assisted on 24-of-34 made field goals for the day.
Joining Keys in double-figures were Harris, Oden, Cooper and McLaughlin (all five Purdue starters), led by Harris with 16. The sophomore forward added nine rebounds and three blocks, while Oden finished with 14 points and four assists. Cooper wrapped up the afternoon with 12 points, four rebounds, four assists and six steals, while McLaughlin turned in 11 points.
Saint Francis wrapped up its third game in three days, winning Friday and Saturday at home before coming to West Lafayette. Sophomore Kara Gerka paced the Cougars with 13 points and four rebounds, who remain 3-1 on the season after the exhibition loss.
Purdue officially opens its season Friday on the road, heading to Mount Pleasant, Michigan for a 7:30 p.m. ET tip at Central Michigan University. It is the second straight season the Boilermakers have played the Chippewas, earning a hard-fought 62-51 win in Mackey Arena in 2016, and Purdue leads the all-time series 5-4.