Behind 26 points from sophomore Brittany Rayburn, No. 23 Purdue University defeated the Seattle University women's basketball team 69-38 in game one of the Basketball Travelers Invitational Classic. The Redhawks stayed neck-and-neck with the Boilermakers for the first 12 minutes of action, but a mid-half offensive breakdown sent PU to their second win of the season. With the loss, SU falls to 0-3 on the season.
"I think Purdue is a very good team," said first year head coach Joan Bonvicini. "When you play a really good team and make a mistake, like a turnover, they are going to capitalize it, as they did they did."
Purdue opened up play by receiving the tipoff, but could not capitalize on back-to-back offensive opportunities. Similarly, the Redhawks were unable to benefit from the home team's slow start and missed baskets on three straight offensive drives. After a minute-and-a-half of play the Boilermakers' FahKara Malone finally broke the ice with a three-point play on a Kourtney Parks foul. Nearly a minute later, KK Houser knocked in a 3-pointer to take PU on a 6-0 run
Junior Tatiana Heck was fouled at 16:56 to get the Redhawks on the board for the first time. Parks followed with a jumper to bring the score with in three. After a Houser 3-pointer, Cassidy Murillo earned her first two points of the game with a clear shot just outside the key.
Less than five minutes into the first half and down 9-5, the Redhawks looked to stifle PU's offense. The Boilermaker's went 3-for-6, but were outrebounded 4-to-2, despite their obvious size over the scrappy SeattleU squad.
Both teams had trouble getting into an initial solid rhythm, but SeattleU remained composed and quick on their feet. With the score 17-11, Ashley Brown shot in her first 3-pointer at the 8:54 mark to bring the game within three points. The Purdue bench then called a timeout in failed attempt to freeze the Redhawks, as SU got the rebound off a missed PU basket and Maggie McCarthy shot in a jumper from just inside the arc.
At 7:52, Joan Bonvicini's young team was only down a basket. With the score 17-16, Malone and Brittany Rayburn then took the six-point run to extend Purdue's lead. Redshirt freshman Jamie Johnson cut it down by a point from the free throw line, but Rayburn converted her shot from beyond the arc on PU's next possession.
With Rayburn knocking in consecutive 3-pointers, the Boilermakers went on a 14-0 run to prevent SU from taking their first lead of the game. After almost five minutes of scoreless play, the Redhawks scoring drought ended with a 3-pointer from Ashley Brown. The senior forward's points would be the final three for SU in the first half.
Behind a double-digit scoring run, PU's play was energized. After beginning the game shaky and letting Seattle keep the score close, they stymied the Redhawk offense the entire second half.
With a 38-20 lead to kick off the final half, they immediately extended their lead with Rayburn's fifth of seven 3-pointers on the day. An ignited offense boosted the Boilermaker defense. Purdue's defense began to tower over the Redhawk offense and SU was unable to respond effectively.
Despite the significant score differential the silver lining was apparent. SeattleU was able to compete with a top-notch team like Purdue. The Redhawks look to bounce back on Saturday, Nov. 21, when they take on Georgetown at 4 p.m. PT in game two of the BTI Classic.