Purdue Women’s Basketball: Boilers ready for Duquesne

Tonight marks another opportunity for the Purdue women’s basketball team to get game reps, as the Boilermakers take on Duquesne at Mackey Arena. This marks the first time ever the Dukes and Boilermakers will play.

The Boilermakers (14-18) advanced to the Super 16 of the WNIT after knocking off Butler, 62-51, at Hinkle Fieldhouse, while Duquesne (21-12) held off Monmouth, 69-65, in an overtime thriller.

Purdue women’s basketball coach Katie Gearlds said the opportunity to play again in Mackey Arena is huge for her team.

“We have two seniors, a junior and six underclassmen. That’s what’s important. The practices are great, but the game reps, getting experience, winning tournament games and an opportunity to win tournament games, you can’t replace it,” Gearlds said.

Purdue women’s basketball tries to cram for Dukes

It has been a wild 36 hours or so for Gearlds to try to study and learn as much about Duquesne as possible.

“They’ve got two dominant posts inside. Lot of dribble-drive offense, lot of ball screens. A lightning fast guard. They got a couple kids who can shoot it. Some fifth years, some older players. Someone who is going to be hungry coming in here, trying to beat a Big Ten team. Our job is to try to find a way to beat Duquesne,” Gearlds said.

Do the Dukes look like anyone in the Big Ten?

Possibly, according to Gearlds.

If you mash Wisconsin and Michigan State together, I feel like that’s kind of where they are. Push pace like Michigan State and halfcourt like Wisconsin. Well coached,” Gearlds said.

Against Monmonth, the Dukes rallied from eight points down with under a minute to go to capture the win. Guard Megan McConnell led the way, with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Precious Johnson added 15 points, including a pair of three pointers. She also added seven boards and two blocks. Jerni Kiaku finished with 12 points, five rebounds, two steals and a block, while Lauren Wasylson added 11 points and was a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line.

Purdue women’s basketball looks to continue growing

The game against Butler was the first in 18 days for the Purdue women’s basketball team, who got solid play from its upperclassmen and underclassmen.

Mila Reynolds led the way for the Boilermakers, posting 15 points, while Jayla Smith added 11 points and five rebounds for Purdue. Purdue women’s basketball also got 10 points, four assists and two rebounds from Abbey Ellis, who is averaging 14.3 points.

“It is an opportunity to keep getting better,” Gearlds said.