“Green Bay outplayed us, outhustled us, and they wanted it more.”
That was the assessment of Purdue women’s basketball head coach Sharon Versyp following tonight’s 81-78 double overtime loss to Green Bay at Mackey Arena.
The 24th-ranked Boilermakers missed 7 of their last 9 free throws down the stretch, including one at the end of the first overtime that would have given them a 72-71 win.
Senior forward Whitney Bays had a double-double for the Boilers with 18 points and 18 rebounds, but she characterized her play as “horrible” overall.
“It was really disappointing, too, for me,” said Bays. “I personally take accountability for this game. As a senior you’re supposed to step up, make the free throws and the chippy shots, and tonight I didn’t. And it hurts, you know. It’s disappointing.”
Coach Versyp says the Boilers struggled in all areas.
“Well, one, we didn’t rebound well,” said Versyp. “(Green Bay) got four to five opportunities every time they shot the three, so our rebounding was awful. And then we have gone over for weeks no help ball side. It’s the easiest defense to play, all you have to do is stand right next to your player and not help. And we helped off every time, and (Green Bay) nailed a shot in the corner. So that’s discipline, structure, and not trusting the system.”
Purdue falls to 1-1 on the season. The Boilermakers are back in action Sunday afternoon at 2 when they host Toledo at Mackey Arena.
