Purdue Rallies to Defeat no. 23 Washington in Overtime Thriller
Table of Contents
Purdue overcame a 13-point second-quarter deficit to secure a 78-72 overtime victory against No. 23 washington on Sunday,marking their second consecutive come-from-behind win. The Boilermakers demonstrated resilience and clutch performance, fueled by standout performances from Tara Daye and Madison Layden-Zay, who each scored 19 points.
Boilermakers Overcome Early Struggles
Washington established an early lead, jumping to a 24-15 advantage after the first quarter and extending it to 38-30 by halftime. The Huskies appeared to be in control,leading by as many as 13 points in the second quarter. However, Purdue refused to concede, mirroring a previous comeback performance against wisconsin on Thursday, where they rallied from an 11-point third-quarter deficit to win 75-67.
A Back-and-Forth Fourth Quarter Sets the Stage for Overtime
The game remained tightly contested throughout the fourth quarter. With six minutes remaining, Purdue narrowed the gap to 56-55. Washington responded with a surge led by Elle Ladine, who scored seven consecutive points, pushing the Huskies ahead 63-55 with 3:44 left in regulation.
A critical shift occurred as Washington then endured a scoring drought, missing their next nine shots.Tara Daye capitalized, sinking a crucial layup with 14 seconds remaining to tie the game at 63-63 and force overtime.
Daye Dominates Overtime, Secures Purdue Victory
Daye continued her impactful play into overtime, scoring the first seven points of the extra period. Purdue maintained a lead of at least five points for the remainder of the game, ultimately securing the 78-72 victory.
Lana McCarthy contributed significantly to Purdue’s success, recording 14 points and 12 rebounds, achieving her second career double-double. Purdue now stands at 10-7 overall and 2-4 in Big Ten play.
Washington Falls Despite Strong Individual Performances
Despite the loss, Washington received a strong performance from Sayvia Sellers, who led all scorers with 23 points, shooting 10-for-24 from the field. Ladine and Avery Howell each added 13 points for the Huskies, while Hannah Stines contributed 11. Washington’s record now stands at 12-4 overall and 2-3 in conference play.
Looking Ahead
Washington will travel to face Indiana on Wednesday. Purdue will head to Southern California for a Sunday matchup.
.
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball.
© 2026 The Associ
