MADISON, Wis. (Interstat) — Nya Smith scored 20 points to lead Purdue to a 75-67 victory over Wisconsin in a Big Ten women’s basketball game Thursday night at Kohl Center. The Boilermakers built an early lead and held off a Badgers rally. Purdue shot 60% from three-point range, making 12 of 20 attempts. Madison Layden-Zay added 18 points for Purdue. Laci Steele led Wisconsin with 13 points. The Badgers, who entered with an 11-4 record, outscored Purdue in the paint but could not overcome the Boilermakers’ perimeter shooting. Purdue improved to 9-7. Attendance was 2,458.

MADISON, Wis. (Interstat) — The Purdue women’s basketball team, mired in a three-game conference losing streak, entered the Kohl Center on Thursday night as a significant underdog against a Wisconsin squad riding a three-game winning streak. What followed was a display of precision and resilience, as the Boilermakers used a blistering start and a lethal three-point shooting performance to secure a 75-67 victory over the Badgers in a Big Ten contest. From the opening tip, Purdue established control. The Boilermakers raced to an 18-9 lead after the first quarter, fueled by an aggressive defense that forced early Wisconsin miscues and an efficient offensive start. The Badgers, struggling to find their rhythm, shot just 4 of 17 from the field in the opening period. Purdue’s early momentum was critical, building a cushion that would be repeatedly challenged but never relinquished. Wisconsin responded in the second quarter, outscoring Purdue 20-12 behind the play of Laci Steele and Ronnie Porter. The Badgers trimmed the deficit to a single point at several junctures, capitalizing on Purdue turnovers to fuel their transition game. However, every Wisconsin push was met with a key Purdue basket, often from beyond the arc, preventing the home team from ever drawing even or taking the lead. The most pivotal sequence of the game unfolded late in the third quarter. After Wisconsin’s Kyrah Daniels hit a three-pointer to pull the Badgers within 38-35, Purdue answered with a decisive 10-2 run. The surge was bookended by three-pointers from Nya Smith and McKenna Layden, with a Lana McCarthy layup in between. This burst pushed the Boilermaker lead back to 48-37 and effectively stifled the growing energy in the arena. It was a testament to Purdue’s offensive execution under pressure, a characteristic that had been missing during their recent skid. Purdue’s victory was anchored by exceptional perimeter shooting and standout individual performances. The Boilermakers connected on 12 of 20 three-point attempts, a scorching 60% clip that consistently broke Wisconsin’s defensive spirit. Guard Nya Smith of Roswell, Georgia, led all scorers with 20 points, adding four assists and playing a team-high 36 minutes. Her backcourt mate, Madison Layden-Zay of Kokomo, Indiana, was equally instrumental, scoring 18 points, including three crucial three-pointers, and grabbing seven defensive rebounds in 37 minutes of action. Wisconsin, which fell to 11-5 overall, was led by Steele’s 13 points. Porter, from Saint Paul, Minnesota, contributed nine points, six assists and three steals, orchestrating the Badgers’ attempts to rally. Despite winning the battle in the paint 30-22 and securing 14 offensive rebounds, Wisconsin could not overcome its own cold shooting. The Badgers finished just 9 of 30 from three-point range and posted an offensive rating of 95.4 points per 100 possessions, well below their season average. Purdue’s defense, while allowing 70 possessions, was opportunistic, converting 16 Wisconsin turnovers into 20 points. The Boilermakers also took excellent care of the ball in the second half, committing only six turnovers after halftime to maintain their offensive flow and protect their lead. The win improved Purdue’s record to 9-7, providing a vital confidence boost as they navigate the heart of the Big Ten schedule. It also marked a stark reversal from their recent outings, where defensive lapses and offensive droughts led to double-digit losses. For Wisconsin, the defeat served as a reminder of the conference’s volatility, as their stout defense was punctured by Purdue’s surgical outside shooting. According to the game’s key play-by-play data, the critical juncture was undoubtedly Purdue’s third-quarter counterpunch. After Wisconsin had methodically chipped away at the lead, the Boilermakers’ consecutive three-pointers from Smith and Layden stretched a precarious three-point advantage to nine in a span of just over a minute. This sequence not only rebuilt the lead but also reasserted Purdue’s offensive command, setting the stage for a fourth quarter where they would lead by as many as 14 points before weathering a final, frantic Wisconsin push. Purdue now looks ahead to a non-conference test against Washington at home on Sunday. Wisconsin, meanwhile, must regroup quickly for a road trip to face Michigan on Sunday, aiming to rebound from a game where their projected 76.6% probability of victory dissolved under a barrage of Purdue three-pointers.

Preview: Purdue Boilermakers at Wisconsin Badgers MADISON, Wis. (Interstat) — The Wisconsin women’s basketball team looks to continue its strong start and protect its home court when it hosts Purdue in a Big Ten Conference matchup on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. The Badgers (11-4) enter on a two-game winning streak, including a narrow 74-73 victory over Penn State on Sunday. Purdue (8-7) seeks to end a three-game skid, most recently a 78-62 loss at Nebraska. Wisconsin has been led by the consistent play of guard Kyrah Daniels, who is averaging 20 points over her last two games. She scored 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the win over Penn State. She forms a potent backcourt duo with Destiny Howell, who added 17 points in that contest. The Boilermakers will counter with guard Tara Daye, who has been a bright spot during their recent struggles. Daye is coming off a 12-point, six-rebound, six-assist performance at Nebraska and scored a season-high 22 points in a win over Jackson State on Dec. 21. Her all-around play will be crucial for Purdue to challenge on the road. The teams have followed divergent paths in conference play. Wisconsin is 2-1 in the Big Ten, while Purdue has opened 0-3, with losses to Nebraska, Ohio State and Illinois by an average of 18.3 points. History at the Kohl Center also favors the home team. Wisconsin has won its last two home games, including a key conference win over Michigan State earlier this month. Purdue’s road record stands at 1-2, with its lone win coming at Central Michigan in November. A key matchup will be in the paint, where Purdue’s Kendall Puryear (10 points, six rebounds vs. Nebraska) will face a Wisconsin frontcourt that outrebounded Penn State 38-33. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CST. The game is a critical early conference test for both sides as they navigate a demanding January schedule. For Purdue, it represents an opportunity to steady its season. For Wisconsin, it’s a chance to solidify its position in the upper tier of the league standings.