Purdue Women's Basketball Stumbling as of Late

Since the start of the New Year Purdue Women's Basketball team (9-7, 2-3) has gone 1-3. The Boilers' lone victory came against Indiana. They dropped contests with Minnesota, No. 10 Maryland, and No. 17 Iowa.

On New Year's Day Purdue fell 81-68 to Minnesota. The Gophers outperformed Purdue in the major statistical categories. Purdue was out-shot, out-rebounded, and out-scored in paint. Purdue was however able to win the turnover battle. The Boilers only committed nine turnovers and assisted on 22 of their 25 field goals. Purdue also turned Minnesota's 14 turnovers into 22 points.

The two teams exchanged the lead seven times in the first half. Minnesota lead 34-33 at the break. Purdue took the lead twice in the second half before surrendering it for good. After Minnesota took the lead with 14:26 left Purdue was able to tie the game up but the Gophers quickly put the threat to bed with a 9-2 run.

Whitney Bays managed another double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Ashley Morrissette also played well for Purdue with 15 points and seven assists.

Purdue dominated the Hoosiers in their next game, winning 86-64. The Boilermakers left no doubt who the better team was as Purdue ran the show on offense and defense. Purdue forced IU into 17 turnovers while only committing eight. The Boilers shot the ball better than the Hoosiers especially in the paint where they outscored them 40-24.

IU held the first lead of the game but they didn't hold it for long. Over the first six minutes of the game the lead changed hands five times. The fifth time Purdue took it good. Purdue's modest lead in the early going grew to 18 points before the end of the first half. Over the last 11 minutes of the half Purdue outscored IU 20-6. At the start of the second half Purdue was up 40-24. The Boilers didn't let up, and at one point in the second half they led by 28.

Whitney Bays posted a career-high in points in route to a program best fifth consecutive double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Ashley Morrissette posted 18 points to go with five assists. Bridget Perry and April Wilson also did some scoring and assisting. Perry put up 14 points to go with five assists, and Wilson had 10 and seven.

Against Maryland last Thursday it was Purdue who was on the receiving end of a double-digit drubbing losing 88-64. Early on it looked like Purdue could play with the Terrapins even taking the lead. Unfortunately Bridget Perry went down with high ankle sprain and things started to unravel. Purdue went cold from the field and Maryland took advantage of it. With 8:38 left Maryland went on an 11-0 run to go up 17. Purdue was down 45-26 at the break. The Boilers battled hard in the second half and even cut the margin to 11 halfway through but they never got any closer.

Whitney Bays recorded her sixth double-double in a row with 19 and 12. Ashley Morrissette scored 18 points. Liza Clemons scored 12 points to go with eight rebounds.

Last Sunday Purdue suffered their third double-digit loss in four games, 73-59. Purdue made a lot of costly mistakes and couldn't capitalize on game-changing opportunities in the loss. Iowa turned 18 Purdue turnovers into 20 points.

The Boilers played Iowa close in the first half even holding lead twice and tying the score two other times. Iowa's lead didn't reach double figures till the end of half; Purdue was down 37-27 at the break. Iowa didn't relent in the second half. Purdue drew within six once but turnovers and missed shots prevented them from drawing any closer.

Ashley Morrissette led the Boilers with 15 points. Whitney Bays extended her program leading double-double streak with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Liza Clemons just missed on a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds. Bridget Perry was out of the lineup due to her ankle injury. Andreonna Keys started in her place.

Tonight Purdue hosts Wisconsin.