WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Interstat) — The Purdue women’s basketball team edged Washington 78-72 in overtime Sunday at Mackey Arena. The Huskies led by eight after the first quarter, but the Boilermakers chipped away, forcing the extra period where they outscored Washington 15-9. Purdue capitalized on turnovers, scoring 26 points off them compared to 18 for Washington. The Huskies’ Sayvia Sellers was a key performer in the loss. Attendance was 6,005. With the win, Purdue improves to 10-7, while Washington falls to 12-4.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Interstat) — In a game defined by its dramatic swings and a final, decisive push, the Purdue Boilermakers outlasted the Washington Huskies 78-72 in overtime Sunday in a nonconference women’s basketball clash at Mackey Arena. The contest, played before a crowd of 6,005, saw Washington squander a strong start and a late-game opportunity to force a second overtime before Purdue’s veteran duo of Tara Daye and Madison Layden-Zay sealed the victory. Washington, which entered as a heavy favorite according to national metrics, burst from the gates with a 24-point first quarter, fueled by early baskets from Elle Ladine and a dominant presence in the paint. However, Purdue’s steady, quarter-by-quarter consistency, led by Daye’s playmaking and Layden-Zay’s perimeter defense, slowly eroded the Huskies’ advantage. The Boilermakers methodically chipped away, entering halftime down just 38-30 and completely seizing momentum with a 17-point third quarter to take a 47-46 lead. The fourth quarter became a tense, back-and-forth affair featuring seven lead changes. Washington guard Sayvia Sellers, who led all scorers with 23 points, repeatedly attacked the rim to keep the Huskies afloat. With 14 seconds remaining in regulation and Purdue leading 63-61, the Huskies had a chance to tie or win. After a missed three-pointer, a scramble for the offensive rebound led to two point-blank attempts by Elle Ladine in the final second, but both were blocked by Purdue’s Madison Layden-Zay and Lana McCarthy to force overtime. The most important part of the game unfolded in the extra period, where Purdue’s experience and Washington’s mounting foul trouble proved decisive. The Boilermakers opened overtime on a 7-0 run, with Daye scoring five quick points. Washington, with Sellers and key post player Avery Howell burdened by fouls, struggled to find an offensive rhythm against Purdue’s tightened defense. Washington clawed back to within 73-72 on a Howell layup with 1:06 left, but Purdue closed the game at the free-throw line. Layden-Zay, a senior from Kokomo, Indiana, hit four critical free throws in the final 49 seconds, and Nya Smith added two more with 20 seconds left after a costly five-second violation on Washington’s inbound pass. The Huskies, unable to get a clean look at a tying three-pointer in the final moments, fell short. Daye, a junior from Newark, New Jersey, finished with 19 points and four assists, orchestrating the Purdue offense for 38 minutes. Layden-Zay matched her with 19 points, adding four assists, a block and a game-high four steals in a full 44-minute performance. Their backcourt partnership was pivotal in generating 26 points off 18 Washington turnovers. For Washington, Sellers’s 23-point effort was complemented by 13 points each from Ladine and Howell. The Huskies won the battle inside, scoring 40 points in the paint to Purdue’s 36, but were ultimately undone by their 18 turnovers and a 9-for-15 performance at the free-throw line in the second half and overtime. The loss drops Washington to 12-4 overall, snapping a two-game winning streak. The Huskies continue their road swing at Indiana on Wednesday. Purdue improves to 10-7 and will travel to face Southern California next Sunday. The combined score of 150 points surpassed the pregame over/under line of 133.5.

Preview: Washington Huskies at Purdue Boilermakers WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Interstat) — The surging Washington Huskies look to rebound from a rare conference loss when they visit the Purdue Boilermakers in a Big Ten women’s basketball matchup Sunday at Mackey Arena. Washington (12-3 overall) saw a five-game win streak snapped in an 82-67 home loss to Michigan State on Thursday. The Huskies, who joined the Big Ten this season, had previously showcased a potent offense, averaging 79.2 points during their streak. Guard Elle Ladine has been a consistent catalyst, averaging 13.1 points over her last seven games, including a 23-point performance against Northwestern on Dec. 29. She scored 15 in the loss to the Spartans. Purdue (9-7) arrives with momentum after a 75-67 road victory at Wisconsin on Thursday, led by a season-high 20 points from guard Nya Smith. Smith’s scoring has been volatile, but her ability to create offense, as evidenced by her 20-point, 4-assist effort against the Badgers, will be crucial against Washington’s defense. The Boilermakers have struggled against top-tier competition, with losses to Ohio State, Nebraska and Michigan by an average of 26.3 points. The game presents a contrast in trajectories. Washington’s strong start has been built on balanced scoring and efficient play, while Purdue has sought consistency, particularly on the defensive end where it allows 68.1 points per game. The Huskies will aim to exploit that, leveraging the backcourt trio of Ladine, Sayvia Sellers and Avery Howell. For Purdue, protecting its home court is paramount as it navigates a challenging conference schedule. Containing Ladine and limiting Washington’s transition opportunities will be key defensive priorities. The Boilermakers’ offense runs smoother when Smith is aggressive, and a similar performance could fuel an upset. Sunday’s contest is the first meeting between the programs as Big Ten foes. The game tips off at 2 p.m. EST. Washington continues its road swing at Indiana on Jan. 14, while Purdue begins a tough West Coast trip at Southern California on Jan. 18.