Coquese Washington, Kai Carter speak ahead of Rutgers women's basketball's matchup against Purdue
The Rutgers women’s basketball team will head into a matchup tomorrow night against Purdue with high hopes. Last Sunday, the Scarlet Knights (10-14, 4-8) defeated Wisconsin 73-67 in front of a home crowd with more than 5,000 fans in attendance — the team earned its fourth conference victory of the season and its second in three games.
While the Badgers (7-17, 2-10) didn’t present much of a challenge to Rutgers with their losing record, the Boilermakers (15-7, 6-6) currently sit at the number seven spot of the Big Ten standings.
Purdue scores an average of 71.6 points per game (PPG) while allowing its opponents to score an average of 65 PPG, which places them fifth in the conference. The Knights in particular shoot close to the average with 65.1 PPG. The Boilermakers hit 45.6 percent of their shots from the field while allowing their opponents to only hit 38.2 percent of their shots.
From the arc, Purdue is successful 33.8 percent of the time, while its opponents are successful 30.2 percent of the time from long distance. At the charity stripe, the Boilermakers shoot a free throw rate of 75.1 percent, while their opponents hit free throws at a low 68.3 percent.
Guard Lasha Petree, leads Purdue in PPG with 13.8. Petree previously played for Rutgers in the 2021-2022 season. Second in the team for PPG is guard Abbey Ellis with 11.8. Ellis also leads the team with a 40.8 three-point percentage as well as leading the team with a respectable 88.9 percent free throw percentage.
Another Boilermaker to watch is guard Jeanae Terry. Terry outpaces her teammates with 173 total rebounds and 147 total assists. The guard also leads Purdue in total steals with 47. Terry is dangerous because she isn’t necessarily an offensive threat from the field but she is a threat on the open court and under the basket.
Head coach Coquese Washington knows Terry is a player that her team has to keep an eye on tomorrow.
"(Terry) is a throwback point guard," Washington said in her Wednesday media availability. "She’s a floor general, she gets other people involved. So, we got to really do a good job of containing her and, number one, keeping her off the glass … Her impact goes beyond her stats."
Washington is confident in the team’s eagerness to grow as the season has gone on.
"This team has done a remarkable job of staying focused and continuing to work and continuing to grow and get better," Washington said. "I think that’s why we’re showing signs and trending upward as we head into the middle of February."
The Knights have played some strong games recently, and senior guard Kai Carter has contributed significantly to those games. The Atlanta native has scored double-digit points in 4 of her last 5 games and recently hit personal milestones — scoring 1,000 points and corralling in 500 rebounds throughout her collegiate career.
Washington has taken notice of Carter’s play and recent success.
"I think (Carter) is just being aggressive, and that's the biggest thing. When she’s aggressive and assertive, it bodes well for her, and it bodes well for our team," Washington said.
Carter, who is a transfer from UNC Asheville, continues to be a senior leader in the locker room and has helped younger players like freshman guards Kaylene Smikle and Antonia Bates adjust in their first season of college basketball. She said that she has thoroughly enjoyed her time on the Banks so far.
"I love the coaches. I love my teammates. I love the whole environment of Rutgers," she said. "It’s like a family-orientated environment, so I’m happy to be here."
Rutgers will tip off against the Boilermakers at Jersey Mike’s Arena on Livingston campus. The game will start at 7 p.m. and will be broadcasted on Big Ten Network+ as well as 88.7 WRSU-FM.
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