by WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Committing the second fewest turnovers in program history was not enough to overcome a slow shooting night, as the Purdue women’s basketball team dropped an 85-82 overtime decision to Penn State on Wednesday night in Mackey Arena.
The Boilermakers (11-12, 3-9) trailed by five with 27 seconds to play in the fourth quarter. Kiki Smith knocked down a 3-pointer with 20 seconds to go to make it a two-point game. After Penn State (8-15, 1-11) split a pair of free throws, Nya Smith drained a game-tying effort with 0.4 seconds on the clock.
In the extra period, Purdue took a 78-77 lead with 2:39 to play. On the ensuing possession, Purdue deflected an entry pass into the post, only for the ball to bounce to Moriah Murray in the corner to hit a three that Put the Lady Lions up for good. Down three with under 15 seconds to play, the Boilermakers had two good looks from deep to tie the game but came up short.
The game featured 14 lead changes, 13 ties, and the largest lead was five points by both clubs.
Purdue shot 37.2% (29-78) from the field on the night and went 5-of-26 from deep. The Boilermakers attempted 26 more shots than the Lady Lions, who shot 51.9% (27-52) for the game, while connecting nine times from behind the arc.
The Boilermakers were led by Kiki Smith’s career-high 24 points on 7-of-13 shooting with a pair of 3-pointers and 8-of-9 at the line. Smith added seven rebounds, one assist and three steals in a career-high 40 minutes of action.
Tara Daye narrowly missed out on her sixth double-double of the year, going for 21 points, seven rebounds with four assists, one steal and matching her career high with two blocks. Kendall Puryear finished in double figures for the second straight game and sixth time this season with 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting.
