Purdue women’s basketball coach Katie Gearlds knew the future would be bright for her basketball team, especially considering the talent her underclassmen exhibited.
For Gearlds and Purdue, the future is now, however. Purdue women’s basketball took another huge step in the right direction Thursday, dismantling Duquesne, 71-50, in the WNIT Super 16 at Mackey Arena. With the win, Purdue women’s basketball improved to 15-18 on the season.
“Little slow out the gate and finally got some shots to go in. Sophie (Swanson) knocked some down. Thought if we could get Jayla, Rashunda, Sophie and Abbey out in transition and downhill a little bit in the second half, it could benefit us. The ball just went in the basket in the second half,” Gearlds said after the win.
And did it ever.
Jayla Smith went off in the second half, scoring all 15 of her points in the final two quarters to help lift Purdue women’s basketball to the win.
“Just being relaxed out there. I don’t think a lot of us feel a lot of pressure, so we are just trying to play basketball as long as we can. Just having fun. I think Jayla was 0-2 at halftime and we chatted at halftime,” Gearlds said.
In addition, Ellis added 15 points, while Swanson chipped in with 14 and Mary Ashley Stevenson added 13.
Purdue women’s basketball will play the winner of Colgate vs. Vermont on a date and location to be decided later. Colgate and Vermont will play Friday night with the winner meeting the Boilermakers in the WNIT Great 8.
For Gearlds, she said the Boilermakers will be prepared, regardless of who they play.
“We’ve got scout done for both teams and be prepared. Will watch the game and whether it’s Colgate or Vermont, we’ve got that scout done,” she said.
And, it’s an opportunity to keep playing.
“There’s no substitution for game reps. Hopefully we can use this run the way Kansas has, Indiana won this thing and Michigan followed that up. Look at what their programs did and how it vaulted them to where they are now. Hopefully, we can replicate that kind of success,” Gearlds said.
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