Purdue women's basketball bounces back against Southern Indiana

WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue women's basketball was hoping to rediscover the offensive potency against Southern Indiana at Mackey Arena on Sunday afternoon after a rough trip to the Bahamas.

A return to West Lafayette seemed to be the cure after losing two straight games in the Caribbean to Florida and Georgia.

And with a return to Mackey Arena came a complete performance from its seniors Madison Layden and Abbey Ellis.

More: Five things to know about Purdue Women's Basketball

Ellis scored 19 points with eight assists and Layden scored 16 points to lead Purdue to its highest point total of the season, routing Southern Indiana 95-57.

"I think (getting shots up) that's what everyone did just to get our rhythm back," Layden said. "It was obviously great to be back in Mackey."

Purdue (3-3) is undefeated at Mackey Arena after beating Texas A&M on Nov. 16.

More: Layden's hot first half leads Purdue women's basketball to first win of the season

An accurate Ellis elevates Purdue

Purdue is a different team when senior captain point guard Abbey Ellis is hitting shots.

Ellis shot a combined 28% during Purdue's trip to the Caribbean. Against Southern Indiana she was dominant going 7 of 11 from the floor. Ellis attacked the basket aggressively using her array of reverses around the rim.

"All around we had a great shooting performance," Ellis said. "Everyone contributed. I think the Bahamas really showed us just be confident and keep shooting the ball."

Freshmen spur strong first quarter for Boilermakers

The newcomers McKenna Layden and Rashunda Jones each hit two 3-pointers to cap a 15-0 run for Purdue and turned what was an 20-14 first quarter lead into the drubbing against the second-year Division I school.

"These freshmen are so confident in their own abilities," Layden said. "They stick to what they are good at and everyone just learns off each other. Us five returners are trying to help them in their own way but they put in the minutes off the court. They come shoot. And the more we all play together, they are only going to get better."

Sisters come close to history

Kokomo natives Madison and McKenna Layden came close to history with the siblings combining for 25 points. McKenna scored eight points but fell a bucket short of becoming the first siblings to reach double figures in the same game.

"(McKenna) did a great job," Madison Layden said. "She's more of a forward on the offensive and defensive end. She works really hard getting shots up.

Purdue 95, Southern Ind. 57SOUTHERN IND. (3-2): Raley 4-7 5-6 13, Webb 2-10 1-2 5, Blackwell 1-4 2-2 5, Handley 2-4 0-0 4, Shafford 7-15 0-0 14, Gallegos 0-2 0-0 0, Gannon 1-3 1-2 3, Carie 0-0 0-0 0, Green 1-2 0-0 3, Howard 0-3 0-0 0, Loden 1-4 0-0 3, Ralston 1-4 2-2 4, Saunders 1-2 0-0 3, Totals 21-60 11-14 57

PURDUE (3-3): Caitlyn Harper 2-5 2-2 6, Stevenson 3-5 6-7 12, Ellis 7-11 4-4 19, Madison Layden 6-6 0-0 16, Terry 2-3 2-2 6, Alaina Harper 1-1 0-0 2, Jones 6-11 2-4 16, McKenna Layden 2-4 2-2 8, Monson 0-3 0-0 0, Smith 4-7 0-2 8, Swanson 1-3 0-0 2, Totals 34-59 18-23 95

Southern Ind. | 14 | 20 | 7 | 16 — 57Purdue | 35 | 20 | 24 | 16 — 95

3-Point Goals_Southern Ind. 4-20 (Raley 0-3, Blackwell 1-4, Shafford 0-4, Green 1-2, Howard 0-1, Loden 1-2, Ralston 0-2, Saunders 1-2), Purdue 9-19 (C.Harper 0-1, Ellis 1-3, Ma.Layden 4-4, Jones 2-4, Mc.Layden 2-3, Smith 0-2, Swanson 0-2). Assists_Southern Ind. 11 (Handley 3, Ralston 3), Purdue 24 (Terry 8). Fouled Out_None. Rebounds_Southern Ind. 29 (Raley 5, Webb 5), Purdue 39 (Ellis 6, Mc.Layden 6, Terry 6). Total Fouls_Southern Ind. 19, Purdue 16. Technical Fouls_None. A_3,683.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue women's basketball beats Southern Indiana