MADISON, Wisc. – The Purdue women's basketball team scored 20 or more points in three quarters and outscored Wisconsin 45-24 in the second half to pull away to a 79-55 win on the road. The Boilermakers picked up their first sweep of the season.
Purdue (12-15, 5-11) had four players finish in double figures with seniors Abbey Ellis and Caitlyn Harper combining for 40 points in the win. Ellis posted her fifth 20-point effort of the year and second straight on 8-of-13 shooting with four rebounds, two assists and two steals.
The Harper sisters, who grew up a little over an hour away in Hartland, combined for 21 points on the afternoon. Caitlyn Harper was 7-of-13 with a Purdue career-high three 3-pointers in 31 minutes of action. Alaina Harper tallied a pair of points, one rebound and a block in nine minutes of work.
A pair of freshmen joined the seniors in double figures with dominate displays on both sides of the break. Mary Ashley Stevenson went for 12 points, all coming in the first half, on 6-of-9 shooting, including a perfect 5-of-5 in the first half, to go with five rebounds and a steal.
Sophie Swanson posted her second straight game in double figures with 11 points and a pair of triples. The Barrington, Ill., native added a rebound, an assist, and a career-high three steals.
Jeanae Terry posted another solid all-around game with nine rebounds, six rebounds, five points and five steals. It was just the sixth 5-5-5-5 performance in the Big Ten this season.
The Boilermakers shot an even 50% from the field (29-58) and 50% from distance (7-14). It was Purdue's third game shooting 50% or better this season and the first time the Boilermakers posted a 50% clip from the field and behind the arc since Jan. 20, 2022, against Illinois. The Boilermakers also finished 14-of-16 at the line.
The Boilermakers harassed Wisconsin (13-13, 6-10) on the defensive end, forcing a season-high 22 turnovers, while recording a season-best 14 steals. Purdue's bench outscored Wisconsin 19-0.
Stevenson rolled to start the game with 10 points on a perfect 5-of-5 shooting and three rebounds. Ellis added six points, as the two sides were tied 21-21 after the first with a combined 65.5% shooting.
Purdue's defense set the tone early in the second quarter, allowing just four points in the first 8:30 of the frame. Purdue turned Wisconsin over six times in the second. Harper tallied five points in the second and connected on a triple one of two triples alongside Madison Layden. The Boilermakers led 34-31 at the break.
The Boilermakers broke the game open in the third, outscoring the Badgers 23-13. Harper totaled seven points to lead the way, while Purdue went 8-of-8 at the line. After Wisconsin tied the game at 36-36 with 8:11 to play, Purdue rolled off nine straight points that led to a 21-5 run. Purdue led 57-44 with 10 minutes to play.
Ellis and Harper combined for an eight-point swing to start the fourth and opened up a 19-point lead. Purdue put the game away with a 22-11 scoring advantage in the third. Ellis scored eight points in the period, and Swanson added six.
NOTES
• Purdue leads the all-time series with Wisconsin 58-22. The win was Purdue's fourth straight over the Badgers.
• Jeanae Terry is now eight points away from 1,000 in her career.
• Madison Layden needs 13 points to become the 37th 1,000-point scorer in Purdue history. She is one 3-pointer away from becoming the sixth player in program history with 200 career triples.
• Purdue freshmen have now produced 27 double-figure scoring performances.
• The Boilermakers have had two freshmen score 10 or more points in nine times, the most in the Big Ten.
• Purdue is 16-1 under head coach Katie Gearlds when shooting 50% or better.
• The Boilermakers hold a 34-7 record when scoring 70 or more points, while also posting a 42-12 mark when holding opponents below that mark under Gearlds.
• Ellis moved into a tie with Andreona Keys for 27th on Purdue's double-figure scoring list with 59 games.
UP NEXT
Purdue will return to Mackey Arena for the final time in the regular season on Wednesday night for a 7 p.m. tip against Penn State on B1G+. The Boilermakers will honor seniors Abbey Ellis, Caitlyn Harper, Jeanae Terry and Abbey Ellis in a postgame ceremony.