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GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 25, EXPRESS 16 • 17 BY KYLE CHARTERS KCharters@GoldandBlack.com T he Boilermakers' road trip proved to be a difficult one, as they lost at No. 12 Maryland and at No. 17 Iowa, arguably the two best teams in the Big Ten, in a four-day span. The losses dropped Purdue to under .500 in the league, with a game against Wisconsin coming on Thursday before it heads back on the road for two more. Following are takeaways from the Boilermakers last week: S Purdue can't score consistently enough to beat the best in the Big Ten. Or at least is hasn't. Maryland and Iowa are two of the best scoring teams in the conference, able to get points inside and out, on the break, off the boards; they're deep and talented. And the Boilermakers, if they allow teams to find easy baskets, aren't able to keep up in that sort of game. It's been proven now over and over again. And they really don't have any answers. Ashley Morrissette is scoring on the perimeter but is typically Purdue's only threat there, and her consistency is a question. It's not in April Wilson's repertoire to hit from beyond the three-point line. And Hayden Hamby has been limited in her effectiveness. Freshman Justine Hall is playing only a little; one would have to think if she was a big-time scor - ing option right now that she'd be getting more of a chance. Bridget Perry's ankle injury doesn't help mat- ters. The sophomore is Purdue's third-leading scor- er, and perhaps its most versatile. But with her out — the length hasn't yet been stated — the Boiler- makers have even fewer options. S Whitney Bays' continues her excellent play, but its im- pact hasn't translated into wins. The senior has continued her double-double streak, now up to a record seven con- secutive, after performances against the Terrapins and Hawkeyes. Even an off-shooting after- noon vs. the Hawkeyes didn't slow her streak, as she hit 7-of- 9 free throws to help her get into double-figure scoring. B e - ing that Purdue relies on her so heavily, it might be only foul trouble that breaks the string. S Purdue's NCAA chances appear low. Only 9-7 overall, the Boilermakers need to pick up victories and fast. To get to 18, which might only be good enough to get on the NCAA bubble, they'd have to win nine of their remaining 13. It doesn't help that Purdue has Penn State and Michigan State, both winless in the league, only once each the rest of the way. j W O M E N ' S B A S K E T B A L L G O L D B O X E S L I N K T O G A M E S T O R I E S Tom Campbell Ashley Morrissette has upped her scoring average of late, but Purdue still needs more help on the perimeter. A LOOK BACK AT THE LAST WEEK OF BASKETBALL FLASH FORWARD Opponent: Wisconsin Location: Mackey Arena When: 7 p.m. Thursday Notables: The Badgers lost at Indiana Sunday, dropping their record to 6-9 overall, 2-3 in the Big Ten. … Wisconsin is only 1-7 away from the Kohl Center this season. … Leading scorer Michala Johnson is out after tearing her ACL earlier this season. … The Badgers, led by Nicole Bauman's 12.5 points per game, average only 59.1 as a team, worst in the Big Ten by more than four points. … Purdue holds a 47- 17 series advantage vs. Wisconsin, having won 24 of last 25 at home since 1985.