Washington 87, Purdue women's basketball 58: Losing streak continues
The Boilermakers lost their sixth straight and dropped to 0-7 in Big Ten play with highly ranked USC and superstar JuJu Watkins set to visit Mackey Arena on Wednesday
Thoughts from Saturday’s loss at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle:
• The script remains the same. Dig a hole in the first quarter - it was a 16-point deficit on Saturday - and spend the rest of the game playing catch-up. Is the current narrative capable of changing?
• For whatever reason, the Boilermakers haven’t been comfortable at the start of games. It’s been that way since Big Ten play resumed after Christmas. It wasn’t that way when Purdue led Maryland by 16 points in the first half in early December. Once the game is decided, the Boilermakers relax and play, leading to false optimism that you’re building on something. There’s been no carryover from those second halves since the losing streak started.
• Turnovers were an issue again early, but the lack of defensive transition allowed the Huskies to get out and run. They were comfortable running their offense and got the shots they wanted. Washington shot an impressive 62.5%, including 11 of 14 in the third quarter. Purdue did very little to disrupt the offense. But give the Huskies credit for imposing their will to run the offense the way they wanted.
• Another reason the Huskies thrived in transition. Purdue made 5 of 15 layups, giving Washington another opportunity to rebound and run. Meanwhile, the Huskies totaled 75 points from the 3-point line and in the paint.
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• Katie Gearlds talks about getting “punched” in the first quarter. When do the Boilermakers punch back?
• Destini Lombard and Ella Collier combined for 32 of the 58 points. In her second start, McKenna Layden totaled eight points, seven rebounds, and three steals.
• Washington started Saturday leading the Big Ten in 3-point field goal percentage in conference games. The 11 of 23 performance keeps the Huskies in the No. 1 position.
• The Boilermakers had a manageable 14 turnovers, but six were in the first quarter leading to 11 points.
• For the second time in four games, Purdue didn’t generate any second-chance points.
• Is it time to create a five-guard lineup that plays most of the minutes? The half-court offense isn’t delivering, and maybe pushing the tempo and attacking the rim will provide a spark. The lack of size will hurt rebounding and defense, but the results aren’t showing up. Maybe Purdue could shoot more free throws to generate offense. The Boilermakers attempted three on Saturday.
• Jordyn Poole played 20 minutes after not seeing action at Oregon. Poole totaled seven points and three assists.
• Sophie Swanson wasn’t available after becoming ill following the team’s shootaround earlier in the day.
This next game coming up is going to be a real test of where we are and where we want to get to—- it has to start in practice— play against players that are like the team you are going to meet—up grade to better and more physical players —- players that you are going to meet in the game—and play the athletic players that match up to the competition— players that give no ground— this is our game and you are not taking it away from us—- show them— and it starts in practice—— does any of the players say after practice—- WOW !!— THAT WAS A TOUGH PRACTICE— COME ON — don’t back down LETS GO ! —-GO BOILERS !
Well—-It’s the same game plan and the same results—where was our rebounding today ?— It just seems that we never set up to get a good shot— we took a lot of shots that I thought that we didn’t have a chance of making—-does anyone guard them in practice so it is like in a game situation— very physical. —-I don’t know ? Practices should be very tough and when it comes to game time they are prepared for the physical part— it seems that we are lacking in that area— we have to make the little shots around the bucket and fight for the rebound—- box out— have the mind set that it is mine—we have to have improvement in defense— it’s too easy for the other team— this next game I want the most athletic team on the floor—for the game ——players that can defend—rebound and score a layup even if they are fouled—or hanging on them —that’s the way the game has to be played —- if we lose— I want it to be against our best players on the floor—- I can not say that we have the best players on the floor all the time— you win with your best on the floor— not equal playing time for everyone—-Ed from Wanamaker