Rookies' athleticism leads to exhibition win
The Boilermakers have searched for an infusion of athleticism recently.
Finally, they might be getting it.
Purdue’s four freshmen showed those characteristics in the exhibition win on Sunday afternoon, displaying hops, quickness, speed, and enough know-how that indicates they could be factors this season.
“It’s something we’re born with,” guard Dominique Oden said of the rookies’ athleticism, “so we’re gifted in that aspect.”
In the 86-58 win over Ursuline in Mackey Arena, Oden and center Ae’Rianna Harris combined for 30 points on 13-of-21 shooting with nine rebounds. But even more than the numbers, they brought Purdue energy off the bench.
Harris, a solidly built 6-foot-1 post, scored a game-high tying 16, same as Dominique McBryde and Andreona Keys, along with her five rebounds, three steals and a block in 23 minutes. Oden had 14, including Purdue’s only two three-pointers (in 15 attempts), and four rebounds. Lamina Cooper added four points and four boards, while Miracle Gray had two points, two assists and a steal.
“We’re tight-knit, so we like it when someone brings energy, like Ae’Rianna, she brings it to the rest of us,” Oden said. “That’s helps.”
The Boilermakers took control of the undersized group of Arrows, a Division-II program near Cleveland, in the second quarter. Then, Purdue shot 11-of-17, turning a three-point lead into 15, 41-26, at halftime.
The rookies keyed a stretch midway through, spurring a 10-0 run that first put the Boilermakers up by 15. Purdue did it by getting on the break; Keys found Cooper for a layup, then Harris hit Oden with a pass for a score; and finally Harris scored off a Keys’ assist.
Later, Gray had a steal that she turned into a short turn-around jumper in transition.
The Boilermakers ran, credited with 12 fast-break points but getting more than that in transition, a reason why they shot 52 percent with 23 assists (and only eight turnovers) on 39 field goals.
“I feel like we’re more athletic,” Versyp said. “We haven’t been this athletic in a while. You saw anybody who got the rebound, put in on the floor and started to bring the ball up. That’s what we need to go.
“… People want to run, it’s more fun and you score more points. We did a good job but we still have to be in attack mode, I think we need to get to the foul line a lot more than we did tonight. Running is the name of the game, it’s a lot of fun, but we do need to understand when we need to set up our shooters.”
Purdue’s lead hit a margin of 20 with four minutes left in the third quarter, when Nora Kiesler scored on a layup. It was 20 again on the first shot of the fourth, when Oden hit the first of her two triples.
Oden was great, jumping off the bench without appearing to have many nerves and finding varying ways to score. She can drive, scoring a couple times in traffic, but hit from the perimeter, as well.
“We had a closed scrimmage a while ago and so I kind of got my hesitancy out in that game,” Oden said. “Also after that game, we worked on it more so that helped a little bit. And the upperclassmen are really strong in (helping) to shake out the nerves, play like you’re in practice.”
Purdue was without a couple of projected starters, in point guard Tiara Murphy and center Bree Horrocks. Versyp called both day-to-day with injuries.
Without Murphy, Purdue had to play point by committee, with Ashley Morrissette taking a bulk of the minutes. She scored six on 3-of-14 shooting, but had five rebounds, four assists, and only two turnovers, with three steals. Gray also played at the point, as did wing Keys.
“Ashley did a very good job,” Versyp said. “Her natural position is the 2, but I like her with the ball in her hand too. She made some key plays, some assists. She didn’t shoot the ball well tonight, but if her and Bridget (Perry) only score 12 for us but we still do some things, that’s good."
Copyright, Boilers, Inc. 2016. All Rights Reserved. Reproducing or using editorial or graphical content, in whole or in part, without permission, is strictly prohibited.