By the numbers: How Purdue women's basketball beat Maine
Five numbers that helped the Boilermakers snap their two-game losing streak
Key numbers from Wednesday’s 60-51 victory at Mackey Arena:
1
After connecting on 6 of 9 from 3-point range in the second quarter, the Black Bears didn’t have the same success. They drained a 3-pointer 35 seconds into the second half and then missed 13 consecutive shots from beyond the arc to finish 1 of 14. Purdue challenged more shots after halftime, and that played a role, but Maine just missed its attempts. That’s shooting. Once the Black Bears started hitting and established confidence, they were tough to stop. Purdue’s body language wasn’t ideal, but Katie Gearlds says it’s hard for her to question her team’s effort. Gearlds also utilize lineups with more maturity and experience and allowed the younger players to fight through adversity.
“I think we do play really hard. We don't always play with the right intent,” Gearlds said. “I think what was happening is we were missing some shots, and we were allowing that to affect us on the defensive end, if that makes sense. We changed some things so they didn't get the pick and pops.”
9
The offense was struggling. It needed a spark. Maine’s zone was imposing its will, shutting off passing lanes to the post and forcing perimeter shots. At the start of the third quarter, the situation appeared bleak for the Boilermakers as the Black Bears built a nine-point lead. But Gearlds moved Reagan Bass to the high post area - where there was space to maneuver - and the transfer from Akron thrived. After hitting a 3-pointer, Bass scored on a pair of layups - her second one tying the score at 38. Bass scored nine of her game-high 20 points in the third quarter. She now has three 20-point games this season.
“It opened up shots for us. It opened up the lane a little bit,” said Destni Lombard, who totaled 12 points and 13 rebounds for her second double-double as a Boilermaker. “Reagan was being guarded at the top of the key, and it just gave us space to move and get the ball swinging from side to side.”
By moving the ball to the high post, it “sucked everyone in,” Bass said, creating opportunities for shooters on the perimeter.
“Our shooters were open, and our passes to the corner were open as well,” Bass said. “Being able to utilize that helped our rebounding because then our post can go low, and then we got shooters open on the outside.”
15
The minutes logged by freshman Kendall Puryear did provide a boost. Her numbers weren’t overly impressive—three points, two rebounds, two turnovers, and one steal — but her presence was significant. She was active in the paint, crashed the boards, and was relentless even if she didn’t grab the rebound. She had the will to win that freshmen usually don’t show unless they enjoy a big-scoring game.
“Coach talked about it a little bit in the locker room,” Bass said. “It was just her physicality, especially on offense, and her crashing as hard as she did, and that opened up for me to dive. I know Amiyah dove a couple of times. Ella (Collier) got a couple of offensive boards, so we could crash harder on offense because she drew so much attention.”
Gearlds thought Puryear’s performance in the third quarter helped Purdue create separation.
“Honestly, KP was just kind of the difference in the game there,” Gearlds said. “I felt her effort on the offensive glass in that third quarter, just winning basketball plays.”
MORE: Box score | Takeaways from Purdue-Maine | Chad Krockover Photography |
27
The Black Bears scored a combined 24 points in the first, second, and fourth quarters. But in the second quarter, Maine scored 27 points and held a six-point halftime lead. The second 10 minutes left the Boilermakers frustrated after leading by nine. Purdue also had fouls to give in the last 10 seconds before halftime, but no one stepped up and fouled to force the Black Bears to make an inbounds pass. Instead, Asta Blaudenfeldt hit a 3-pointer with one second on the clock.
“Pissed, pissed, terrible, pissed,” Gearlds said of her halftime emotions. “We talked about it at halftime. We should have gone to switching ball screen stuff a little bit earlier, but really frustrated with some of our decision-making.
“I think we were running a set play and trying to get the last (shot) but it doesn't happen. Just poor, poor decisions, and we’ll continue to show them and try to keep learning from real game situations.”
43
The transfer class continues to provide plenty of production.
Bass, Lombard, and Collier totaled 43 points but scored 26 of the team’s 31 in the second half. They made 11 of 20 field goals, including two 3-pointers, and pulled down 11 rebounds.
“I would say it's just that extra fight, that extra want to, and then having that experience and being able to lead the younger girls,” Bass said. “That helps fuel the entire team, the entire bench, so there's no drop off when subs come in and when we come out.”
VIDEO CREDIT: Purdue Athletic Communications
THIS AND THAT
Redshirt freshman Amiyah Reynolds made her first collegiate start. She scored four points, grabbed two rebounds, and had two assists, two steals, and one turnover in 27 minutes. … Collier, Bass, Lombard and Lana McCarthy were the other starters. … Mahri Petree was available to play but didn’t see action after missing two games in Florida. … Alaina Harper was listed as questionable after twisting her ankle.