INDIANAPOLIS – The Purdue women's basketball team saw its run at the Big Ten Tournament come to an end with a 73-69 loss to No. 8-seeded Michigan State on Thursday afternoon at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Purdue (16-14) retook a one-point lead with 3:26 to play, only for Michigan State (15-14) to close the game on an 11-6 run with nine points coming at the line.
Madison Layden and Abbey Ellis led the way offensively with 17 points each. Jeanae Terry added 14 points with a team-high eight rebounds and seven assists over 34 minutes of action.
The Boilermakers shot 36.5% from the field and drained 10 3-pointers for their seventh game of double-digit triples. The Boilermakers surrendered 20 points off 15 turnovers in the game, but the second half saw Purdue commit just two giveaways in their comeback bid.
Nia Clouden, who the Boilermakers held to just seven points in the first matchup in January, powered the Spartans with 23 points, making 10-of-11 free throws.
Purdue finished 13-of-15 at the line to Michigan State's 19-of-26 mark.
The Boilermakers held close with the Spartans early, as both sides lived at the line in the opening period. Purdue went 7-of-8 at the line and hit a trio of triples in the first led by Layden's seven points.
In the second, Purdue overcame a couple of scoring droughts that saw their shooting clip drop to 32% for the first half. While a lid went on the basket, Purdue's defense was able to keep within striking distance of Michigan State to trail by just four at the break.
Terry and Rickie Woltman gave Purdue a spark out halftime with Purdue's first 10 points. Ava Learn swung momentum into Purdue's favor at the midway point of the third with a tradition a 3-point play. Layden then gave the Boilermakers the lead with five straight points late in the period.
Into the fourth, Ellis dropped five straight points, including a long-range three to give Purdue a 57-55 lead with 7:41 to play. Cassidy Hardin, who knocked down a trio of 3-pointers on the day, sank a deep effort to put the Boilermakers back on top by one with 3:26 left.
Purdue was then whistled for eight fouls in the final three minutes of the game, sending Michigan State to the line 14 times, as the Spartans pulled away.
NOTES
• Purdue leads the all-time series with Michigan State 43-37.
• The Boilermakers are now 1-2 as the No. 9 seed and 2-2 against the No. 8 seed.
• Purdue finished with 18 assists on 23 made field goals and tallied more assists than turnovers for the 14th time this season.
• Purdue converted eight offensive rebounds into second chance points, while Michigan State flipped nine boards into 13 points.
• Purdue shot an even 40% from the field in the second half.
• The Boilermakers attempted just three free throws in the second half.
• Terry recorded her 14th game with five points, five rebounds and five assists this season.
• Madison Layden failed to record a steal for just the sixth time in her career.
UP NEXT
The Boilermakers will wait for an announcement of their postseason destination.