It had gone on a three-game losing streak but then went on a two-game winning streak.
Indiana women’s basketball appeared to be turning the corner after dominant wins over Nebraska on Feb. 2 and Rutgers on Feb. 6.
But now the Hoosiers are on a two-game losing streak. They first fell to Minnesota on Sunday at Williams Arena in Minneapolis before their 3-point loss to Michigan on Wednesday at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Sitting at 15-9 overall and 7-6 in conference play, Indiana returns to its home court Saturday to take on in-state rival Purdue with the Barn Burner Trophy on the line.
Trophy game history
The Barn Burner Trophy, which is a wooden plaque with a barn and basketball hoop, was introduced for the 1993-94 season. The Boilermakers have won 18 of the 31 trophy games. However, the Hoosiers have won each of the last eight trophy games, including last season’s game Jan. 21, 2024, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Indiana has won its last 11 matchups with Purdue — its last loss coming Jan. 20, 2019, in West Lafayette.
About the Boilermakers
Purdue enters the matchup with a 9-15 overall record, including a 2-11 mark in conference play.
The Boilermakers’ scoring attack is led by senior guard Destini Lombard, who averages 10.5 points per game and 3.3 rebounds. Lombard also connects on 41.6% of her shots from beyond the arc — the second-best mark on the squad with players that have attempted double-digit 3-pointers.
Lombard is the only Boilermaker that averages in double figures as sophomore guard Rashunda Jones and senior forward Reagan Bass follow with 8.8 and 8.5 points, respectively.
Although she scores just 6.9 points per game, fifth-year senior guard Ella Collier leads Purdue in minutes. Through the Boilermakers’ 24 games, Collier — a Danville, Indiana, native who transferred from National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics school Marian University in Indianapolis — averages 28.9 minutes on the floor.
Despite currently sitting at 14th in the Big Ten standings and still at risk of missing the Big Ten Tournament, Purdue has won two of its last three games. The Boilermakers defeated Wisconsin by 13 points Feb. 2 before taking down Northwestern by 15 on Wednesday.
Purdue head coach Katie Gearlds is in the midst of her fourth season at the helm of her alma mater, carrying a 60-60 overall record into Saturday. She played four seasons for the Boilermakers from 2003-07 as she averaged 14.8 points per game. During her senior season in 2006-07, the Beech Grove, Indiana, native earned Associated Press Third-Team All-America honors.
The Hoosiers look to bounce back
With back-to-back losses now behind Indiana, it will have an opportunity to get back on track against Purdue. According to ESPN Analytics, the Hoosiers have a 95.7% chance of defeating the Boilermakers.
Against Michigan, the Hoosiers accumulated 18 turnovers. In its loss to Minnesota, Indiana was outrebounded by 18. Both instances didn’t come out of nowhere. Instead, they are issues Moren’s squad has dealt with throughout the season.
Moren’s messaging to her squad seemingly hasn’t sunk in.
“I don’t know the answer to why it’s not resonating,” Moren said postgame Wednesday. “Because I think, for the most part, they’re pretty high-IQ kids. I think they understand it. We rep it every day. I don’t know why it’s not sticking.”
The Hoosiers’ lineup is comprised of mostly all upperclassmen the lone exception being sophomore guard Julianna LaMendola. However, turnovers, weak defense and blown leads — such as Oregon on Jan. 24 and Michigan on Wednesday — have remained.
Indiana’s matchup with Purdue is of the Quad 4 variety, but the Hoosiers have three consecutive Quad 1 matchups on the horizon.
The Hoosiers host No. 9 Ohio State on Feb. 20 before hitting the road to face Michigan State on Feb. 23 in East Lansing, Michigan. The Cream and Crimson will return home to host Maryland on Feb. 27 — which is slated to be the final Quad 1 matchup of the Hoosiers’ regular season.
If a fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament berth is in the cards for Indiana, it will have to handle the Boilermakers before trying to notch victories against high-quality opponents.
Tipoff
The Barn Burner Trophy game is slated to tip off at noon Saturday inside Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington. The matchup will be televised on the Big Ten Network with Mike Hall and Shimmy Miller on the call.
Follow reporters Dalton James (@DaltonMJames) and Savannah Slone (@savrivers06) and columnist Ryan Canfield (@RyanCanfieldOnX) for updates throughout the Indiana women’s basketball season.
