Mackey Arena was the site of an exciting women’s basketball matchup on Monday as the Purdue Boilermakers faced off against the Bellarmine Knights. The game unfolded with Purdue establishing an early lead, maintaining control for most of the contest before ultimately securing a 78-67 victory.
From the outset, Purdue demonstrated its offensive prowess, jumping to an 11-2 lead shortly after the first timeout. The Boilermakers showcased their shooting skills, making two of their first three attempts from beyond the arc, while the Knights struggled to find their rhythm, failing to convert any of their early three-point attempts.
Sophomore guard Sophie Swanson played a pivotal role in the first half, contributing significantly to Purdue’s scoring with 11 points, including three successful three-pointers out of six attempts. Senior transfer Raegan Bass matched her scoring output, also netting 11 points during the first half. The duo, along with freshman Lana McCarthy, who shot 5-of-8 from the floor, combined for a remarkable 32 of Purdue’s 39 first-half points.
As the game progressed into the second half, the Knights managed to momentarily gain the lead, but Purdue quickly regained its footing, showcasing resilience and teamwork. Raegan Bass continued to shine, ultimately finishing the game with a total of 21 points and 11 rebounds, marking a strong performance that highlighted her ability to impact both ends of the court.
Bass, who transferred from Akron, demonstrated her scoring efficiency by shooting 5-of-8 overall and successfully sinking her only three-point attempt. Her rebounding skills were also on display, as she outperformed all other players on the court in this category. Despite a missed opportunity to tie her career high at the free-throw line in the final minute, Bass’s contributions were key to Purdue’s success.
However, not all aspects of the game were flawless for the Boilermakers. A notable concern was their turnover rate, which remained high throughout the match. Purdue recorded a total of 22 turnovers, with 11 occurring in each half. This statistic is particularly concerning, as the team had entered the game averaging 19 turnovers per game over the season, indicating a need for improvement in ball control moving forward.
Despite the turnover issues, Purdue’s ability to maintain a lead for 30 of the game’s 40 minutes speaks to their overall effectiveness and determination. The Boilermakers improved their season record to 4-1 with this victory, while the Knights fell to 3-2.
As the season progresses, Purdue will aim to build on this win, focusing on consistency and reducing turnovers to enhance their performance in upcoming games. Fans can look forward to seeing how the Boilermakers adapt and grow as a team as they continue their season.
