Oregon 69, Purdue women's basketball 53: "Self-inflicted turnovers"
The Boilermakers fall to 0-6 in the Big Ten after committing 23 turnovers, including 17 in the first half
Thoughts from Wednesday’s loss in Eugene:
• The Boilermakers didn’t face a ranked team for the first time in 2025, but any hope to snap the losing streak quickly vanished in the first half. You’re familiar with the turnover script, and that’s what happened. Purdue committed 17 turnovers in the first half and trailed by 12. Although the Boilermakers pulled within seven in the third quarter, the game was over at halftime. The Ducks scored 17 points in the first half off turnovers and 25 for the game. It was another ugly performance from a team that can’t get out of its way.
The Boilermakers committed turnovers on 35.4% of their 65 possessions and scored on only 36.9%.
“Honestly, they're just self-inflicted turnovers,” Purdue coach Katie Gearlds said on her postgame radio show. “You’re picking up the ball, not knowing what you're going to do with it, going in a hurry, not paying attention. Just little things that we’ve got to do a better job.”
The Boilermakers limited the turnovers in the second half, committing six, but the pressure was off.
• One piece of good news - Purdue didn’t trail by double digits after the first quarter. In the four previous games, the Boilermakers were behind by 10 or more points after the first quarter and had to play uphill. They led 9-4 before the Ducks took a 15-11 lead into the second period. The turnovers, though, continued to mount going into halftime.
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• Another new starting lineup. Destini Lombard and Ella Collier remained but McKenna Layden made her first career start, replacing Reagan Bass. Lana McCarthy returned to the lineup, and Rashunda Jones started at point guard, even though the sophomore thrived off the bench. It was Jones’ first start since Nov. 30 against South Carolina. Jones scored a team-high 17 points - the only Boilermaker in double figures - but had six turnovers.
• In her first career start, Layden posted solid numbers. The sophomore scored nine points and pulled down nine rebounds, both career highs, in a team-high 37 minutes. She’s totaled 23 points and 18 rebounds in the last three games.
“Just straight effort,” Gearlds said about Layden. “Just plays so hard and does exactly what we need her to do. She was gassed down the stretch - 37 minutes for her is big time. It’s what we need from No. 11.”
• Jordyn Poole didn’t play, and the freshman wasn’t listed on the availability report.
• Purdue is 0-6 in the Big Ten for the first time in program history.
I was looking at PURDUES roster and I count 9 under classmen— there are some seniors and I don’t now whether that means they could have another year but I don’t think so—-hear is what I’m thinking— we will lose some to the portal- but who ? The portal is a way of life now— you just have to live with it—I think most coaches that are approached by a player that is thinking of leaving— I think all they can do is wish them well— if they don’t want to be a BOILER —-that’s their choice — we have some players coming in next year— so there is going to be competition— my opinion— next year will be entirely different—so we better buckle up — GO BOILERS
THE ONLY THING THAT WAS FAIRLY EVEN WAS THE REBOUNDING—-BUT IF YOU GIVE THEM THE BALL BACK ON ERRORS—-IT’S OVER—- THE ONE THING THAT I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND—- WE CAN ONLY GET ONE PLAYER IN DOUBLE FIGURES ?—- WHY— I KNOW WE HAVE SOME SHOOTERS ON THIS TEAM—SCORING JUST 10 TO 11 POINTS A QUARTER WILL NOT WIN YOU MANY GAMES—ERRORS WE CAN CORRECT—- BUT ONLY ONE PLAYER WITH MORE THAN 10 POINTS—- THIS HAS TO CHANGE IF WE ARE GOING TO GET “W” THIS YEAR— IS IT THE PRESSURE—- OR CONFIDENCE OR WHAT ?—- I HOPE THEY FIGURE IT OUT—GO BOILERS !!!—THIS GAME IS IN THE BOOKS— LETS LOOK TO THE NEXT GAME—DON’T GIVE UP—- ED