Purdue women’s basketball coach Katie Gearlds previews 2024-2025 season
Purdue women’s basketball coach Katie Gearlds shares what a good performance will look like in exhibition game against Indiana Tech and upcoming 2024-2025 season.
WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue coach Katie Gearlds’ goal was to see a quicker pace in 2024-25.
The additions of Stephen F. Austin transfer Destini Lombard, freshmen Lana McCarthy and Kendall Puryear gave Purdue a glimpse of not only what the quick tempo would look like offensively but how it could outmuscle opposition in the paint during its season-opening 85-77 win over Purdue Fort Wayne at Mackey Arena.
Lombard led with 20 points (8-12 FG), six rebounds, five assists and four steals while McCarthy in her debut scored 18 points (8-9 FG) and grabbed 10 rebounds — she became the first Purdue freshman women’s player to record a double-double in her debut.
Puryear added 11 points (5-6 FG) off the bench.
“I wouldn’t say I had that many nerves coming in tonight,” McCarthy said. “I was ready to get my college career started.”
Purdue (1-0) staved off the Mastodons, who won 23 games last season. Jazzlyn Linbo scored 16 points while Amelia Bromenschenkel, Lauren Ross and Jordan Reid each added 11 points for Purdue Fort Wayne (0-1), which scored 34 points in the fourth quarter.
Destini Lombard matches defensive energy with scoring
Lombard helped Purdue force nine turnovers in the first half and with a 3-pointer in the second quarter. The ability to create her own shot off the dribble and willingness to get the ball in and out of her hands quickly allowed Purdue to work efficiently and attack the rim with reduced pressure.
“This upcoming season I’ve been working on my midrange a little bit more,” Lombard said. “I’ve improved in my 3-point shot and of course my speed and athletic abilities allow me to get to the rim. Just added a few things to my game.”
Lana McCarthy makes splash offensively
McCarthy’s intensity and aggression in the paint never wavered in her debut. McCarthy scored eight points on 4-for-5 shooting and grabbed four rebounds in the first half.
Defensively, it’s still an expected work in progress as she found herself flat-footed and off-balance attempting to guard Purdue Fort Wayne senior Jazzlyn Linbo. But give it time. McCarthy in her first game established herself as a primary offensive threat and playmaker.
McCarthy’s penetration at the end of the third quarter drew two defenders and freed up Marian transfer Ella Collier. McCarthy whipped a pass to Collier for her first 3-pointer as a Boilermaker and extended the lead to 61-43.
“It definitely sets high expectations for myself,” McCarthy said. “Obviously that’s a pretty good debut and I want to do my best to maintain that the rest of the season. We have a really good competition this season and I’m just going to strive to set a high mark for myself.”
Interchangeable pieces for Purdue?
The Boilermakers had all 10 of its available players log at least 10 minutes or more and they all put up points.
South Bend Washington native Amiyah Reynolds scored her bucket for Purdue while senior guard Jayla Smith came off the bench showing greater confidence offensively. Smith finished with seven points on 3 of 6 shooting.
“I love our ball club and love how deep we can go,” Gearlds said. “Just making sure when we sub whether that’s the first group or second group or inner mixed that we are locked in on what we are trying to do. I think because we want to play up tempo, having 10 players who can play and us feel comfortable out there consistently will give us some room to breathe there on the sideline.”
How tight that rotation becomes against a quality opponent becomes a question that’ll be answered on Sunday night when Purdue hosts No. 6-ranked Notre Dame at 7 p.m.
Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at ehanson@jconline.com, on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.
