Purdue Women fall to Lowly Wisconsin

Purdue play uninspired as they helped the Wisconsin Badgers end a seven game losing streak, falling 64-57.

Wisconsin and Purdue played each other evenly through the first half. At the end of the first quarter the teams were tied at 18; both teams shot over 50%. Towards the end of the first quarter the defensive intensity picked up and that carried over to the second quarter. Both teams cooled off. Purdue got lax on the defensive boards and Wisconsin corralled six offensive rebounds and converted them for six points. This was an issue all night for Purdue as Wisconsin repeatedly outmuscled them on the glass. On the Badger's second to last possession of the half they banked in a three towards the end of the shot clock to go up 33-30. At the other end Purdue turned the ball over after offensive foul on Ashley Morrissette. Wisconsin's final heave was short. Through the first half there were 11 lead changes and nine ties as neither was able to create any separation.

Purdue did not play any better in the second half. Wisconsin stuck to their game and kept attacking us on defense. April Wilson was held in check as was Ashley Morrissette. Andreona Keys who was scoreless in the first half scored 11 points, but Purdue wasn't able to keep up with Wisconsin and never even tied the game in the second half. Purdue was on the receiving end of some suspect officiating in the fourth quarter. At one point Wisconsin essentially got two free points when the refs called a foul on April Wilson who was fighting through a screen. After the foul call and screen Wisconsin's Dakota Whyte hit a jumper that never should've counted but did. These refs were also very inclined to call fouls on offense which was the cause of a handful of Purdue turnovers. Purdue did themselves no favors though down the stretch continuing to turn the ball over and failing to box out and secure rebounds on defense. Each time Purdue cut the lead to a single possession Wisconsin answered. Final score was 64-57.

Purdue shot 41% to Wisconsin's 45%. The Badgers outrebounded Purdue 39-28. Purdue committed 16 turnovers which Wisconsin turned into 20 points.

Dominique McBryde led Purdue with 13 points, four rebounds, two assists, three steals and a block. Bridget Perry recorded a double-double 12 points and 10 rebounds to go with two blocks. Andreona Keys finished with 11 points and four assists. April Wilson only had eight points and Ashley Morrissette had five.

Purdue played uninspired most of the night. Only toward the end of the game did they display a semblance of urgency, but that was not enough. The Boilers couldn't get stops at the end of the game and couldn't get rebounds. April Wilson was essentially a non-factor which cannot happen if Purdue is going to win games.

Purdue will have a shot at redemption against Maryland Thursday evening. Hopefully this time Purdue won't let Shatori Walker-Kimbrough score 41 points. Rachel Banham of Minnesota dropped 60 on Northwestern in a double overtime game over-shadowing SWK's outburst this last week.