ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Down two with less than 30 seconds to play, the Purdue women's basketball team saw its game-tying possession result in a turnover, as the Boilermakers pulled off the comeback in a 64-60 loss to Michigan on Sunday afternoon in Ann Arbor.
Abbey Ellis led the way offensively with 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting with a season-high five 3-pointers. The Australian posted her 25th game in double figures and sixth with over 20 points.
Rashunda Jones joined the fifth-year senior in double figures with 16 points, including a perfect 6-of-6 at the line and a pair of 3-pointers.
Playing in front of her hometown, Jeanae Terry crossed the 1,000-point mark for her career on a free throw in the first quarter. Terry tallied five points, 12 rebounds and four assists.
Alaina Harper made her first start as a Boilermaker. The sophomore, starting in place of her older sister Caitlyn, finished with two points, four rebounds and an assist in 23 minutes of action. The Harpers became the first sister tandem in program history to each start a game for Purdue.
The Boilermakers (12-17, 5-13) forced Michigan (18-12, 9-9) into 14 turnovers on the night. Mary Ashley Stevenson recorded a career-high four steals, while Sophie Swanson matched her career best with three swipes.
The two clubs finished level on the boards at 35-35. Purdue flipped 10 offensive rebounds into 11 points, while surrendering just six points on seven second-chance opportunities.
Purdue's freshmen battled their way back from an early 9-1 deficit with a 10-3 run late in the frame. Stevenson and Jones tallied four points each during the late run, while Swanson tacked on a pair. Purdue scored six points off six Michigan turnovers to trail 12-11 after the first.
In the second, Purdue's defense held Michigan in check with five forced turnovers. Ellis connected on the Boilermakers' first triple to finish with five points in the frame. Madison Layden made a tough running floater to keep Purdue within two possessions at the break, trailing 27-22.
Purdue's freshmen accounted for 12 of the 22 points in the first half.
Ellis took over in the third quarter, scoring 12 of Purdue's 19 points on 4-of-5 shooting and a pair of 3-poitners. The Boilermakers stayed within two possessions throughout the third, going 6-of-6 at the line. Michigan held a 46-41 lead going into the fourth.
Purdue's seniors combined for 14 points in the final period. Ellis connected on a pair of triples, including a long-range effort with 2:20 to play to cut the gap to one. Jones drained her second 3-pointer of the game with 55 seconds left to make it 62-60. After a defensive stop with 33 seconds on the clock, Jones drove through contact but was called for a travel.
Ellis finished with 18 points in the second half on 6-of-8 shooting and four 3-pointers.
UP NEXT
The Boilermakers will head to the Big Ten Tournament at the Target Center in Minneapolis. Purdue will open as the No. 12 seed against No. 13 seed Northwestern at 5:30 p.m. CT on Peacock.