Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/207768
w o m e n ' s b a s k e t b a l l BY KYLE CHARTERS KCharters@GoldandBlack.com an Facing onlyNAIA opponent in their open exhibition game, the Boilermakers looked like a finely tuned machine. But the competition — Clarke won only six games at its lower level a season ago — isn't near what Purdue will face during the 2013-14 season. Here are our takeaways from Purdue's 102-33 victory: S Sharon Versyp wants the Boilermakers to play more aggressive defensively this season, tak- ing more chances by jumping into passing lanes, creating turnovers and getting easy baskets. That was simple against the Crusaders, when Purdue gathered 29 steals among its 36 forced turnovers. It turned parts of the second half into a layup drill, with steals at midcourt resulting in uncontested fastbreaks. Now, it won't be as easy come Sunday against Ball State, when the competition increases with the start of the regular season. Will the guard-heavy Boilermakers be able to continue to generate the kind of offense they want in an Flash Forward Opponent: Ball State Location: Mackey Arena When: 2 p.m. Sunday Notables: Ball State defeated Oakland City Wednesday 10958 in an exhibition game in Worthen Arena. Nathalie Fontaine, a 6-foot-2 guard, scored 24 points. … The Cardinals were picked to finish second in the West Division, according to a poll released by the Mid-American Conference. Fontaine, the MAC Freshman-ofthe-Year last season, was named All-MAC West Division in the preseason. She averaged 13.2 points and 6.6 rebounds last season. … After a slow start last season, BSU rallied to a 17-16 finish, including a 12-4 mark in the MAC. It beat Minnesota and Northern Iowa in the WNIT. … All five Cardinals' starters return for 2013-14. A Look Back At the last week of basketball uptempo pace? Or will they have to work out a way to find offense more often in the halfcourt? S Purdue used very distinct lineups to start the first and second halves, going small to start the game and big after intermission. The second-half group — KK Houser at the point; Courtney Moses at the 2; Bridget Perry at small forward; Whitney Bays at the 4; and Liza Clemons at center — might be Purdue's most versatile. And come Big Ten play, when teams are bigger and more physical, it might be the Boilermakers' best chance to compete from the start. The starting group is quick and can handle the ball, with four players — April Wilson, Houser, Moses and Dee Dee Williams — who have logged significant minutes at the point in their careers. But it is small, with only Clemons most experienced, How Versyp above 6-foot, and has fewer qual- dispenses the minutes is a season ity scoring options on the storyline. j court. S Perry has a chance to be a very good player at Purdue, that much became evident against Clarke. The freshman gives the Boilermakers something different, a big wing — they really haven't had one since KiKi Freeman in 2009 — who can score in a variety of ways. Against the Crusaders, she missed a three-pointer, followed, grabbed the rebound and converted a traditional three-point play. The 6-2 lefty also hit a deep triple, and had three "and-ones," on her way to scoring 18 points. S Purdue has Tom Campbell a bevy of options Liza Clemons provided in the backcourt. Purdue with its best interior scoring option, putting 11 With Houser, points on the board in the Moses, Williams Boilers' 69-point win over and Wilson the Clarke University. GoldanDBlack express • volume 24, express 9 • 38