While the record may not be anywhere near what Purdue women’s basketball coach Katie Gearlds had wanted, she has to feel good about her program heading into today’s road meeting with Wisconsin.
The Purdue women’s basketball team is 11-15 overall, 4-11 in the Big Ten, but the Boilermakers have fared well against Wisconsin recently. Purdue has won the last three meetings against the Badgers, including an 89-50 win at Mackey Arena in December. Wisconsin’s last win came in 2022, as the Badgers stormed back from a 22-point deficit to defeat Purdue in the regular season finale.
Wisconsin is vastly different than first time around
While the Boilermakers earned a win the last time these two teams, this is a different Wisconsin (13-12, 6-9) team than that meeting. For starters, Serah Williams is back for the Badgers after missing the first game against Purdue women’s basketball.
Against Minnesota, Williams played a key role in Wisconsin earning a 67-56 win, as scored 30 points and ripped down 15 rebounds. Williams accounted for almost half of Wisconsin’s points and scored 11 of Wisconsin’s 13 in the third frame. She leads the Big Ten in rebounds with 11.3 per game and is third in scoring with 18.6 points.
Gearlds admits her team will have its hands full against the sophomore star.
“For us, the biggest thing is we didn’t know she wasn’t playing the first time. She’s a problem. They’ve won three of their last four games because of her. She’s all of 6’4, athletic inside and presents some problems. We have to play really hard,” Gearlds said.
Purdue women’s basketball looks to play hard
Purdue women’s basketball played hard the last time out, falling 64-56 against Michigan State. The Boilermakers used a 13-3 run in the fourth quarter to get back into the game, but it was too little, too late.
Senior Abbey Ellis paced Purdue with 22 points, while Sophie Swanson added 19 for the Boilermakers, who shot 36.1 percent from the floor and 34.8 percent from behind the arc.
On the season, Ellis is leading the way for Purdue, averaging 13.1 points, while Caitlyn Harper contributes with 11 points.
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