WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Katie Gearlds era is officially here, as the Purdue women's basketball team heads out for the 2021-22 season opener Wednesday night at Western Kentucky. The Boilermakers' 47th season in program history tips off at 7:30 p.m. (ET) on ESPN+.
Tim Newton will be on the call for the Purdue Sports Network on 95.3 BOB FM.
GAME INFORMATION
Purdue (0-0) at Western Kentucky (0-0)
Wednesday, Nov. 10
Time: 7:30 PM (ET)
TV: ESPN+
Radio: 95.3 BOB FM
Live Stats: PurdueStats.com
A NEW ERA
Katie Gearlds will roam the sidelines for the first time at her alma mater, after just a 47-day preparation period as head coach. The 2007 All-American opens a new chapter in the program's history seeking to bring it back to the national stage. Gearlds takes the helm at Purdue following a storied playing and coaching career. She was the 2003 Indiana Miss Basketball, the 2003 McDonald's All-America Game MVP, 2007 All-American and the seventh overall pick in the 2007 WNBA Draft. In eight seasons as the head coach at Marian, Gearlds won two national championships, three NAIA National Coach of the Year honors and 228 games.
LAST TIME OUT
In their lone exhibition, the Boilermakers topped Findlay 89-64 on Sunday afternoon at Mackey Arena. Purdue shot 12-of-36 from distance in the win, which would have been a program record for 3-point attempts. Madison Layden led the way with 22 points, while Cassidy Hardin added 18 on six triples. Transfer Jeanae Terry posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
NOTES
• Purdue trails the all-time series 2-1. The Boilermakers beat the Lady Toppers 67-50 on Dec. 18, 2019, after a 42-year hiatus in the series.
• The Boilermakers are 39-7 all-time in season openers, with an 11-7 mark when starting the season on the road.
• Jayla Smith is the 10th Indiana Miss Basketball to lace it up for Purdue. She joins the Katie Gearlds, the 2003 honoree on a list that includes Stephanie White, Brittany Rayburn and Courtney Moses.
• A trio of transfers could make their Purdue debuts Wednesday in Abbey Ellis from Cal Poly, Jeanae Terry from Illinois and Mide Oriyomi from Northeastern.
• Purdue enters the season with 887 all-time, good for 40th in NCAA history.
• Madison Layden rolls into her sophomore season with a 3-pointer in her last 21 games, the third longest streak in program history. Only Katie Gearlds (22) and Ashley Morrissette (25) have longer streaks.