Purdue Women Outmatched by #5 Maryland

Purdue (16-6, 7-4) could not slow down Maryland and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough as she had a career night.

Maryland got off to a hot start as Shatori Walker-Kimbrough hit her first five shots. Walker-Kimbrough jump started her offense with two fast break layups. In the half-court though Purdue either couldn't find her or couldn't keep up with her as she hit open jumpers and attacked the basket with ease. Maryland's length and size bothered Purdue at the other end and the Boilers coughed up the ball eight times which Maryland turned into eight points during the period. After getting down 13-4 Purdue did respond and tie the game at 15. At quarter's end Purdue was down 17-15 and Walker-Kimbrough had 11 points.

After regrouping midway through the first quarter Purdue looked like they could compete with Maryland, but many of the same problems persisted. The Terps made Purdue pay for breakdowns and lapses. Purdue particularly struggled on transition defense. It seemed like Purdue would score then Maryland would race up the court and score only seconds later. Maryland stretched their lead to six and then Purdue drew within one with six minutes left. At this point Maryland went on a 16-4 run to close the quarter up 41-28.

Purdue toiled trying to trim the margin in the third quarter. Through the first seven minutes of the period the two teams traded scores. Bridget Perry scored seven of Purdue's first eight in the period then picked up her third foul and sat the rest of quarter which hurt the Boilers. Maryland then had back-to-back three-point possessions after a Tiarra Murphy turnover which put Purdue down 18. The Boilers responded with nine a row to cut the lead to single digits. Heading into the fourth the margin was 11, 65-54.

Walker-Kimbrough had her lowest scoring output in the fourth quarter, six points, but her teammates picked up the slack and kept Purdue from really threatening an upset. Purdue used a 7-1 run to cut a 13 point deficit to seven with 6:48 left. Maryland countered with a traditional three point score to push their lead to double digits again. Purdue couldn't connect on their next possession and failed to take advantage of an empty Maryland possession. The Boilers had a breakout opportunity but turned the ball over when passing the ball up court. The Terps instead took advantage draining a triple going up 76-63 with 5:00 left. Purdue couldn't muster any more fight over the last half of the quarter falling 87-67.

Shatori Walker-Kimbrough led the Terps with a career-high 41 points, 17-for-21 shooting, four rebounds, three assists, two blocked shots, and four steals. Three other Terrapins reach double figures scoring. Maryland shot 66%, outrebounded Purdue 28-25, and generated 26 points off 17 Boiler turnovers.

Ashley Morrissette led Purdue with 19 points. Andreona Keys had 11 points and four rebounds. Dominique McBryde added 10 points, five rebounds, and three assists. April Wilson dished eight assists. Purdue shot 42% from the field.

Next Purdue faces Wisconsin on Monday.