The Last Word from Purdue's loss to MSU: Small margin for error on offense, Swanson's spark, Gearlds' technical
Too many shooting dry spells cost the Boilermakers during Wednesday's 68-59 setback at Mackey Arena
Putting the final touches on Wednesday’s loss to Michigan State at Mackey Arena:
• Just how much of a struggle was it from an offensive standpoint for the Boilermakers? Consider the following: The Spartans placed five players in double figures. Purdue had five players who scored. The Boilermakers can’t, and won’t, beat any Big Ten team without more contributions from the entire lineup. Without a dominant scorer, balance is the key for this team. They got going late in the third quarter and again toward the end of the game, thanks to Abbey Ellis - who had 16 of her 22 after halftime - and Sophie Swanson, but Caitlyn Harper, Jeanae Terry and Madison Layden were a combined 4 of 20 for 10 points. They need everyone and it’s been that way all season.
• Swanson certainly can provide an offensive punch and we’ve seen it sporadically.  Three 3-pointers in the first half and two more after halftime led to a season-high 19 points in 24 minutes. She doesn’t need a lot of room to fire away. Her feet are usually set when the ball lands in her hands. And we’re seeing more of a counter when defenders challenge Swanson on the perimeter. She’s putting the ball on the floor and getting to the basket. Swanson isn’t going to blow by defenders but she’s savvy enough to maneuver her way to score or get fouled. She’s not 100% comfortable with her knee, but she’ll get there by next season.
• Defensively, the Boilermakers did about everything possible. The Spartans shot 39.7%, scored nine points below their Big Ten scoring average and didn’t reach their conference shooting percentage from the 3-point line. Remember, MSU scored 97 points in the first meeting, including 51 in the second half. But the Spartans still ruled the paint at both ends and took advantage of 15 turnovers to score 18 points.
• I initially called these scoring droughts but they should’ve been labeled field goal droughts. Purdue had three streaks of five or more consecutive missed shots for more than 11 minutes of game action, resulting in minus 14 points on the scoreboard. During those stretches, the Boilermakers were a combined 0 of 19. The rest of the game: 22 of 42. Meanwhile, the Spartans had only one stretch where they missed three or more consecutive shots. MSU missed nine straight during the third quarter where its lead went from 17 to 10. Developing and maintaining a consistent offense is key.
GALLERY: Chad Krockover Photography
GALLERY: Dave Wegiel Photography
• Why is MSU successful this season? The offensive numbers are solid, but the Spartans play hard on every possession. They get after it with their press. They’re physical. If Ohio State doesn’t win the Big Ten outright, MSU’s Robyn Fralick should get plenty of support for Coach of the Year. She will regardless and might win it if the Spartans grab the No. 4 seed in the conference tournament.
• Purdue needed to be more aggressive in attacking MSU’s press after crossing halfcourt. There were a handful of missed chances to take it at the Spartans. In a 2-on-1 situation, Mary Ashley Stevenson shot a 17-foot pull-up jumper. Get to the rim and force the defense to make a decision. Overall, though, the Boilermakers handled the press but needed to get to the rim more.
• It's good to see the Boilermakers fight their back into the game and put themselves in a position to possibly win. Would they have done this on the road? They might have to do it Sunday at Wisconsin.
• Gearlds earned her technical late in the first half. She was upset Bryan Enterline didn’t review the play when Stevenson was hit in the face – again. Gearlds could’ve challenged but she would’ve been forced to use a timeout. And Enterline refused to adjust the clock after time ran off inadvertently when everyone jumped into the lane after the first of a two-shot free throw was missed. That’s when Gearlds threw her water bottle under her chair, and you know what happened next. Â
• Terry had the weird stat line of the game: 0 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, seven turnovers, and three steals.
• In the two games against the Spartans, bench players – Tory Ozment and Theryn Hallock – did a lot of damage. They combined for 47 points in the first meeting and totaled 29 on Wednesday. That’s 46% of the production.
• Purdue picked the wrong games to go cold in the shooting department. The Boilermakers shot under 40% in back-to-back games for the first time in Big Ten action. Purdue was shooting 41.8% in conference action before Wednesday.
• Two recruiting prospects attended Wednesday’s game: McCutcheon’s Lillie Graves (2027) and Munster’s Gracyn Gilliard (2026).
• It’s not certain the Boilermakers have to win out to avoid the first day of the Big Ten tournament but it’s pretty close. A lot depends on what else happens, but Sunday at Wisconsin looms large. Northwestern and Rutgers are pretty much set and that leaves Purdue, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The race for the No. 10 seed likely comes down to the Boilermakers, the Badgers and the Golden Gophers. Only one will get it with the other two dropping to the No. 11 and No. 12 seeds. Michigan, Penn State and Illinois aren’t completely safe and could fall, especially the Illini, who finish with Iowa, MSU and Nebraska. But still a long way to go and plenty of games to watch play out.
REMAINING SCHEDULES
Purdue: Sunday at Wisconsin; Feb. 28 vs. Penn State; March 3 at Michigan
Wisconsin: Sunday vs. Purdue; Feb. 29 at Maryland; March 3 vs. Michigan State
Minnesota: Saturday at Nebraska; Feb. 28 vs. Iowa; March 3 at Penn State
Penn State: Thursday vs. Ohio State; Feb. 28 at Purdue; March 3 vs. Minnesota
Michigan: Saturday at Northwestern; Feb. 28 at Ohio State; March 3 vs. Purdue
Illinois: Sunday at Iowa; Feb. 29 at Michigan State; March 3 vs. Nebraska