Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/423491
GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 25, EXPRESS 12 • 34 BY KYLE CHARTERS KCharters@GoldandBlack.com A ndreona Keys likes the contri- butions she's made to the Boil- ermakers early during her career. At least, that is for two of her first three games. Keys, a freshman wing, scored in double figures in Purdue's two victories — a dozen at Ball State, then 10 against Toledo — but went scoreless in the loss to Green Bay. "I want to bring energy off the bench, bring points if I need to do that. Defend," Keys said before Purdue took off to its two-game trip to the Bahamas. "Whatever I need to do, from the bench, I want to do that. I've done it in two games, but the second game (of the season) wasn't so great. I'm hoping to do it every game that I step on the floor." Like many freshmen, it's con - sistency that is the key. But Coach Sharon Versyp likes Keys' upside, especially since she's taken to her role so early. The 5-foot-10 Atlanta native is versatile enough to play any of the backcourt positions — she has backed up at point guard — but appears most natural on the wing. From there, she can drive to the hoop, her most preferred avenue for scoring. But she's diversifying her game, too; she hit four three-point - ers this season, with the long-dis- tance shot being a recent addition to her repertoire. "When I tore my ACL," she said, referring to the injury during her junior season, "shooting was basi- cally all I could do, so I spent a lot of time doing that. Then, trying to get more comfortable. It definitely helps me to be an all-around player. I'm still working on pull-up jump- ers, but I think I've done a pretty good job and my teammates and coaches have helped me develop that skill set." Opponents aren't yet respect- ing the outside shot. Against Tole- do, the Rockets frequently sagged off of Keys, giving her openings. But once they realize that she's capable — and she's made 4-of-7 through three games — she's OK with them coming out. It might open driving lanes. "I like to attack the basket," said Keys, who is averaging 7.3 points and three re - bounds and has four steals. "So definitely shoot- ing is something I'm more com- fortable doing now, so when I'm open, I'll shoot it with confidence." FALLING OUT After los- ing in double overtime to Green Bay last week, Purdue was dropped from the AP top 25, released on Monday. The Boil- ermakers still received 10 votes, enough to place them 32nd. Maryland is the top team in the Big Ten, at No. 10, while Nebraska (15), Michigan State (16), Iowa (17) and Rutgers (21) are also in the top 25. j Bob Strempka Andreona Keys has scored in double figures off the bench in two of Purdue's three games. 2014-15 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time/Result Nov. 9 FINDLAY (exb.) (BTN Plus) W, 84-25 Nov. 14 at Ball State W, 66-60 Nov. 19 GREEN BAY L, 78-81(2OT) Nov. 23 TOLEDO (BTN Plus) W, 66-48 Junkanoo Jam, Freeport, Bahamas Nov. 28 Texas Tech 3:15 p.m. Nov. 29 Geo. Washington/N Carolina 1/3:15 p.m. Big Ten/ACC Challenge Dec. 3 FLORIDA STATE (BTN Plus) 7 p.m. Dec. 7 at Dayton 2 p.m. Dec. 11 KANSAS (BTN Plus) 7 p.m. World Vision Classic Dec. 19 UC IRVINE Noon Dec. 20 DENVER 2:30 p.m. Dec. 21 WRIGHT STATE 2:30 p.m. Dec. 28 at Illinois (BTN Plus) 3 p.m. Jan. 1 MINNESOTA (BTN Plus) 2 p.m. Jan. 4 INDIANA (BTN Plus) 2 p.m. Jan. 8 at Maryland (BTN) 6:30 p.m. Jan. 11 at Iowa (BTN) TBA Jan. 15 WISCONSIN (BTN Plus) 7 p.m. Jan. 19 at Nebraska (BTN) 7 p.m. Jan. 22 at Minnesota (BTN Plus) 8 p.m. Jan. 25 OHIO STATE (BTN Plus) 2 p.m. Jan. 29 RUTGERS (BTN) 7 p.m. Feb. 2 at Indiana (BTN) 8:30 p.m. Feb. 8 PENN STATE (BTN Plus) 2 p.m. Feb. 11 NORTHWESTERN (BTN Plus) 7 p.m. Feb. 14 at Rutgers (BTN) Noon Feb. 17 at Ohio State (BTN) 7 p.m. Feb. 21 ILLINOIS (BTN/BTN Plus) TBA Feb. 24 at Michigan (BTN) 7 p.m. Feb. 28 MICHIGAN STATE (BTN) 2 p.m. March 4-8 Big Ten Tournament* TBA * Sears Centre, Hoffman Estates, Ill. All times ET W O M E N ' S BA S K E T BA L L : N E W S A N D N OT E S Double vertime KEYS MAKING IMPACT For Season Stats Click Here