What we learned, what's next for Purdue women's basketball after lopsided exhibition victory
The Boilermakers routed Purdue Northwest 118-42 on Monday night in the team's only exhibition game before the Nov. 3 opener
Ten players saw action. All 10 provided contributions.
From scoring, rebounding, ball movement, defense - at least for three quarters - and playing with pace, the Boilermakers stuffed the stat sheet during a 118-42 victory over Purdue Northwest at Mackey Arena. The point total is the third-highest in an exhibition game in program history.
It was the final tune-up before the Nov. 3 opener against FDU.
WHAT WE LEARNED
• Katie Gearlds has preached playing fast from the moment her roster was finalized. It was on display Monday night.
In fact, Gearlds wants to play faster. The Boilermakers overwhelmed the Division II opponent with size, quickness, and strength, creating numerous transition opportunities from the 3-point line and inside. Multiple players demonstrated they can bring the ball up the floor and get the offense moving in the right direction.
“I still want to go faster, even on made baskets,” Gearlds said. “I thought we were a little slower getting the ball out of the net the way we want to. They were picking up a little bit, but there’s too many ball handlers on the floor not to be able to get the ball out of the net quicker and up the floor and really put pressure on the opponents.”
As the Boilermakers thrived in transition, they found shooters on the wings or in the corner and looked to make the extra pass. Hila Karsh, Madison Layden-Zay, and Kiki Smith connected on multiple 3-pointers as Purdue made 10 of 22 from beyond the arc.
Gearlds has assembled more players looking to shoot than in previous seasons. Six players hit at least one 3-pointer and didn’t back away from hunting shots.
“We want to play fast and get the ball off the floor. We have a lot of great shooters and just get the ball off the floor to them, and they’re gonna knock it down,” Layden-Zay said.
MORE: Box score | Chad Krockover Photography | Dave Wegiel Photography | Game replay |
Karsh is one of those shooters. The 21-year-old freshman from Israel quickly settled into the game, scoring eight of her 15 points during a two-minute stretch in the second quarter, including two 3-pointers.
“It’s so much bigger than what I’m used to,” Karsh said of playing in Mackey Arena. “It’s amazing from the video at the start, and the fans and the band, the team, and my teammates helped me get through that. I hope to keep it going, and more fans will come, and more wins will come.”
• Tara Daye features a versatile skill set. She can play four different positions, including point guard, and has some flash and pizazz to her game. Daye showcased her athletic ability by driving to the basket and pulling down rebounds, playing a team-high 30 minutes.
She totaled 15 points - on 6 of 7 shooting - and grabbed five rebounds.
“How can we put her in the best spot? Whether it’s quick post-ups, some zoom actions, some rip-and-goes,” Gearlds said. “She has a unique ability to be way more athletic than everybody else on the floor. You see the way she jumps, it’s just different. It’s been fun for us up in the office, because we really haven’t had a player like her that we can play around with.”
Daye didn’t commit a turnover, and the Boilermakers took care of the ball. They had 11 for the game, but three in the second half. The 31 assists showed an unselfish side to this year’s team, and that approach must continue.
• The Boilermakers have an opportunity to hold their own inside. Lana McCarthy and Kendall Puryear are a year older with experience, and 6-foot-7 freshman Avery Gordon brings matchup problems for opponents based on her size and the ability to run the floor.
Gordon scored her first basket in transition, using her left hand to finish. The trio totaled 38 points on 19 of 28 shooting in a combined 43 minutes.
“Her ability to rim run at her size, hold it high when she gets behind the defense,” Gearlds said of Gordon. “Avery just moves, and she’s gotten stronger, she’s gotten quicker.
“Because we want to play fast, if our bigs want the basketball, they’ve got to sprint, and having all three of them is going to allow us the opportunity to do that.”
WHAT’S NEXT
• Puryear (ankle) and Taylor Feldman (back) were on minutes restrictions. McKenna Layden, who underwent offseason foot surgery, didn’t play. Layden is making strides toward seeing action.
Puryear was on the floor for nearly 12 minutes, and Feldman, a transfer from Northern Arizona who is expected to start at point guard, played nine minutes.
“Taylor’s really just been thrown out there in the last week or so, and KP has been gradual,” Gearlds said. “We want them to get game reps and live reps, but at the same time, we want them 100% in January and February. We need to find a way to keep integrating them, hopefully more on Monday, just because of our pace.”
• The second-quarter defensive lull will be addressed during Wednesday’s practice/film session. The Boilermakers allowed single-digit points in the first, third, and fourth quarters but gave up 21 in the second quarter.
The Pride made 9 of 16 field goals in the second quarter but managed just 6 of 45 shooting the other 30 minutes.
“I thought our bigs did a good job of calling out ball screens,” Gearlds said. “There were a couple of kids we wanted to go over because they could shoot it off the bounce. Maybe the ball screen was a little high off the 3-point line, and our big could have called for the guard to go under, but we turned into screen magnets a few times there in the second quarter.
“Our bigs got to call that out, but our guards got to press up on the ball. I don’t think it was an effort thing. I think it’s more of a technical thing where we can clean up, trying to take away angles a little bit better.”
• Purdue started Layden-Zay, Karsh, McCarthy, Daye, and Nya Smith. Will Gearlds keep the same starters for the season opener?
• How much of what we saw will carry over to the regular season? We’ll find out next week.
Wow!—this game was just what i thought it might happen— but it was over the top— sure we were the best team but it was an eye opener for me— I listened to it on radio and Mike’s write-up says it all—size—quickness and strength— that. Was the big difference— the players that I want to see—is our 6’7”” center- Avery Gordon—Taylor Feldman—Hila Karsh—Tara Daye—and returning player Madison Laydan Zay— this is going to be a good year—the one thing that I keep in mind though—The Big Ten is loaded with talent—sooo—every team right now after playing an exhibition game somewhere feel just like us— pretty good— that is what makes the league so great— we will get everything in place thru the pre-season—but when January gets here— game-on— my hope is that they put a lot of the games on TV—Ed from Wanamaker