Foundation set for Purdue women's basketball after first season under Katie Gearlds ends

MILWAUKEE - While Monday night’s WNIT second-round loss at Marquette ended the first season under coach Katie Gearlds, it’s also the start of what’s coming for the program.

Purdue won 17 games, more than anyone expected after an offseason of change, both on and off the court.

They competed. They played hard. They battled. In the end, though, the Boilermakers didn’t have enough to truly challenge the best teams on their schedule and in the Big Ten but it’s up to Gearlds to push this thing forward. 

Taking over the program 47 days before the first game in September to where her team finished the season is a remarkable accomplishment. It might not look the same to the outside world compared to those inside the program.

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Now, it’s time to build on what transpired and bring Purdue back to where it belongs in the scope of the conference and the national picture. It's still going to take time but this season was the first step. 

“We wanted to lay a foundation to be a team that’s hard to beat and make sure the other team is truly preparing to play us and I think we did that,” Gearlds said following the 77-62 loss to the Golden Eagles at the Al McGuire Center.

“I told that group - there’s going to be banners hanging in Mackey Arena very soon and it’s because this group laid the foundation, and they need to be damn proud of that.”

However, to see improvement Gearlds must upgrade the roster in recruiting to overcome long stretches of ineffective play, which was on display against Marquette. Purdue also lacked depth and experience, despite leaning on offseason transfers to boost the talent and skill level.

For the players returning, this season is viewed as a starting point.

“Be ready for women’s basketball at Purdue. We showed we can compete with everybody and the best of the best,” said Jeanae Terry, who had eight rebounds and five points.

“This group is a great group. I’ve grown to love this group. This group is something I will always remember. This group is definitely the foundation - the dirt - for what’s to come. That’s something we can hang our hats on.”

Madison Layden, the team’s leading scorer, didn’t play for the second straight game dealing with a non-COVID-related illness and the Boilermakers have been without 6-foot-6 center Ra Shayla Kyle for most of the season due to a lower leg injury. A team already short on depth didn’t need two of its better players sidelined.

Despite the obstacles and shortcomings, the Boilermakers showed they’ve made enough progress to springboard into the offseason and into next year.

“Everyone of the girls bought into what coach KG had implemented into this program and bringing it back to the success but also the integrity and what it means to have Purdue across your chest,” said point guard Abbey Ellis, who finished with 13 points. “Everyone took that heart.”

Purdue stayed connected to Marquette for as long as it could, but the combination of Lauren Van Kleunen and Jordan King was too much to overcome as they combined for 42 points. Throw in former Boilermaker Karissa McLaughlin, who had 16 points and three 3-pointers, Gearlds’ team didn’t have the offensive firepower to keep up.

Brooke Moore had 20 points off the bench but finding consistent scoring from other spots was a challenge once again.

“We need to fix a lot of things that deterred us,” Terry said. “Just coming together as a group will help us in those long stretches that we saw today.”

There’s plenty of work ahead for Gearlds, the returning players, the incoming freshmen and possibly a transfer from the portal. The roster will look different next season in anticipation of bringing this program back to where everyone wants it.

The fact that Purdue had to play a road game in the second round of the WNIT is a telling sign of how the program is viewed. 

“There’s no reason for Purdue to be on the road in the second round of the WNIT,” Gearlds said. “Purdue belongs in the NCAA tournament. It’s where it was. The recipe for success is there in West Lafayette. It’s a matter of grinding to work to get through it. Let this burn and let this be the one every workout you remember that we were on the road in the second round of the WNIT.

“This is not where we belong. We have to hang onto this and make sure it burns and pushes us.” 

Mike Carmin covers Purdue sports for the Journal & Courier. Email mcarmin@gannett.com and follow on Twitter and Instagram @carmin_jc

MARQUETTE 77, PURDUE 62

PURDUE (17-15) - Woltman 4-7 2-2 10 (-9), Doumbia 2-7 0-0 4 (-7), Hardin 2-8 0-0 5 (-7), Terrty 2-8 1-1 5 (-8), Ellis 4-7 5-7 13 (-15), Moore 8-22 1-2 20 (-15), Learn 1-2 0-0 2 (-8), Smith 1-3 1-2 3 (-6). Totals 24-64 10-14 62. 

MARQUETTE (23-10) - Karlen 0-4 2-2 2 (+6), Van Kleunen 10-17 7-10 27 (+17), Marotta 1-2 1-2 3 (+22), McLaughlin 5-15 3-4 16 (+14), King 7-17 0-0 17 (+18), Walker 4-7 2-4 10 (+12), Myles 0-0 0-0 0 (-6), Nkumu 1-1 0-0 2 (-8). Totals 28-63 15-22 77. 

End 1st quarter - Marquette 24-18. Halftime - Marquette 40-35. End 3rd quarter - Marquette 56-48. 3-point goals - Purdue 4-15 (Doumbia 0-2, Hardin 1-5, Terry 0-2, Moore 3-6), Marquette (Karlen 0-1, McLaughlin 3-8, King 3-4). Rebounds - Purdue 32 (Terry 8, Doumbia 7), Marquette 43 (Van Kleunen 11, Marotta 9). Fouls - Purdue 19, Marquette 14. Assists - Purdue 8 (Doumbia 3), Marquette 20 (Van Kluenen 6, Marotta 6). Steals - Purdue 5 (Terry 2), Marquette 6 (Walker 2). Blocked shots - Purdue 2 (Doumbia, Moore), Marquette 6 (King 3). Turnovers - Purdue 12 (Terry 4), Marquette 10 (King 4). Points off turnovers - Purdue 6, Marquette 12. Points in the paint - Purdue 30, Marquette 24. Second-chance points - Purdue 17, Marquette 25. EFG% - Purdue 40.6, Marquette 49.2. Biggest lead - Purdue 2 (1st 2:50), Marquette 18 (4th 0:57). Lead changes - 2. Times tied - 5. Time with the lead - Purdue 0:20, Marquette 37:27.