WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – In a game that was pushed back a day due to the snow storm that swept through the area, Purdue Women's Basketball got behind early in an 80-67 loss to Northwestern Friday evening at Mackey Arena.
Veronica Burton scored 23 of her 26 points in the second half to lead the Wildcats (12-8, 4-5 B1G) and prevent a comeback by the Boilermakers (13-9, 4-7 B1G). Purdue still battled throughout the contest, scoring a season-high 29 points output in the fourth quarter. Despite the late effort, Northwestern maintained control of the game. A big difference in the contest proved to be on the glass, as the Wildcats held a 41-27 rebounding advantage and produced 16 offensive boards that led to a 14-2 cushion in second chance points.
Abbey Ellis scored 15 points to pace Purdue, while Madison Layden and Jayla Smith reached double figures with 10 apiece. The duo of Layden and Smith combined for 18 points in the fourth quarter. Rickie Woltman added seven points and matched Jeanae Terry with a team-high eight rebounds.
Much like the weather outside, both teams got off to cold starts. The Wildcats shot 31 percent over the first 10 minutes, while the Boilermakers just mustered 29 percent, allowing the visitors to lead 13-10 at the end of the first.
Northwestern grew its advantage in the second quarter, thanks to making five straight shots to close the half. Meanwhile, Purdue was held scoreless for the final three minutes of the quarter, heading into the locker room down 35-22.
Coming off a career-high game at Northwestern, freshman Jayla Smith was held scoreless before recording 10 points in the final frame. The Boilermakers fought hard until the end, scoring 29 points in the fourth and making six of their final seven shots. Purdue ended up shooting a red-hot 71.4 percent (10-of-14) in the fourth, including 5-of-7 from beyond the arc. However, it was not enough as Northwestern headed back home with the conference win.
QUOTE
Head coach Katie Gearlds
Sometimes life puts you in certain situations that aren't ideal (snow storm), and we didn't handle that today. They (Northwestern) handled adversity differently than we did, and I feel that's the way it started. I'm not always happy with them (her team), but I still love coaching them.
NOTES
• Purdue retains a 50-25 lead in the all-time series and will have an opportunity to face the Wildcats again this season (Feb. 24 in Evanston).
• Cassidy Hardin went 2-for-6 from beyond the arc, extending her streak of making a three-pointer to 23 games; she passed her coach, Katie Gearlds, and moved into sole possession of third on the consecutive list.
• Eight Boilermakers scored at least five points, led by a team-high 15 from Abbey Ellis.
• Purdue scored 29 points in the final quarter, its most points in a fourth quarter this season and matching a season high for points in any quarter (29, third quarter vs. Denver).
• The game was delayed 23 hours from its original date and start time due to severe winter weather in the area.
UP NEXT
The Boilermakers quickly return to the court Sunday, traveling south to face No. 6/5 Indiana. Tipoff from Bloomington is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on B1G+.
Veronica Burton scored 23 of her 26 points in the second half to lead the Wildcats (12-8, 4-5 B1G) and prevent a comeback by the Boilermakers (13-9, 4-7 B1G). Purdue still battled throughout the contest, scoring a season-high 29 points output in the fourth quarter. Despite the late effort, Northwestern maintained control of the game. A big difference in the contest proved to be on the glass, as the Wildcats held a 41-27 rebounding advantage and produced 16 offensive boards that led to a 14-2 cushion in second chance points.
Abbey Ellis scored 15 points to pace Purdue, while Madison Layden and Jayla Smith reached double figures with 10 apiece. The duo of Layden and Smith combined for 18 points in the fourth quarter. Rickie Woltman added seven points and matched Jeanae Terry with a team-high eight rebounds.
Much like the weather outside, both teams got off to cold starts. The Wildcats shot 31 percent over the first 10 minutes, while the Boilermakers just mustered 29 percent, allowing the visitors to lead 13-10 at the end of the first.
Northwestern grew its advantage in the second quarter, thanks to making five straight shots to close the half. Meanwhile, Purdue was held scoreless for the final three minutes of the quarter, heading into the locker room down 35-22.
Coming off a career-high game at Northwestern, freshman Jayla Smith was held scoreless before recording 10 points in the final frame. The Boilermakers fought hard until the end, scoring 29 points in the fourth and making six of their final seven shots. Purdue ended up shooting a red-hot 71.4 percent (10-of-14) in the fourth, including 5-of-7 from beyond the arc. However, it was not enough as Northwestern headed back home with the conference win.
QUOTE
Head coach Katie Gearlds
Sometimes life puts you in certain situations that aren't ideal (snow storm), and we didn't handle that today. They (Northwestern) handled adversity differently than we did, and I feel that's the way it started. I'm not always happy with them (her team), but I still love coaching them.
NOTES
• Purdue retains a 50-25 lead in the all-time series and will have an opportunity to face the Wildcats again this season (Feb. 24 in Evanston).
• Cassidy Hardin went 2-for-6 from beyond the arc, extending her streak of making a three-pointer to 23 games; she passed her coach, Katie Gearlds, and moved into sole possession of third on the consecutive list.
• Eight Boilermakers scored at least five points, led by a team-high 15 from Abbey Ellis.
• Purdue scored 29 points in the final quarter, its most points in a fourth quarter this season and matching a season high for points in any quarter (29, third quarter vs. Denver).
• The game was delayed 23 hours from its original date and start time due to severe winter weather in the area.
UP NEXT
The Boilermakers quickly return to the court Sunday, traveling south to face No. 6/5 Indiana. Tipoff from Bloomington is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on B1G+.