Positive vibes? Purdue women’s basketball hopes to keep winning with trip to Rutgers

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WEST LAFAYETTE – Purdue women’s basketball coach Katie Gearlds could smile a little bit.

And it’s not just because her favorite NFL team, the Kansas City Chiefs are playing for their third straight Super Bowl title.

Winning will do that after the Boilermakers secured its first Big Ten Conference victory by beating Wisconsin 84-71 at Mackey Arena last Sunday.

“Our team has stayed committed to working really hard chasing success,” Gearlds said. “It hadn’t shown up to outside eyes or the win column but we’ve slowly seen our team get better. It was really good to see them make shots against Nebraska to Wisconsin and escape with a win.”

More: Purdue coach Katie Gearlds finds encouragement from UCLA coach Cori Close

Purdue Boilermakers guard McKenna Layden (11) grabs a rebound Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, during the NCAA women’s basketball game against the USC Trojans at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind.

Freshman Kendall Puryear scored a game-high 18 points including 8-10 shooting off the bench to lead five Boilermakers who had double-digit point figures.

Sophomore Sophie Swanson scored 17 points including 8-8 from the free throw line, senior Ella Collier finished with 15 points including 3-4 from 3-point range, McKenna Layden playing a flex power forward role added 12 points and nine rebounds and sophomore Rashunda Jones added 10 points and five assists.

Purdue (8-14, 1-10 Big Ten Conference) might finally be turning a corner offensively after shooting 50% as a team for its second straight game.

Layden has become a catalyst as a rebounder and an asset from 3-point range after hitting four against the Badgers.

“The biggest thing for us is when she brings us defensive rebounding,” Gearlds said. “Whether it’s her timing, her length or just her understanding of the game. Her ability to defensive rebound has helped us. And she constantly moves in the halfcourt. She’s really mostly outside but can get 10-12 off a game because she moves and knows where she needs to be. I think everyone’s…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/positive-vibes-purdue-womens-basketball-224954278.html

Author : Journal & Courier

Publish date : 2025-02-07 22:49:00

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