WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue women’s basketball team opened the 2025-26 season with a a 67-48 win over FDU on Monday night in Mackey Arena. The Boilermakers put four players in double figures, led by Kiki Smith’s 19 points off the bench.
Smith was 7-of-13 from the floor and knocked down a trio of 3-pointers. She added three rebounds and a block in 28 minutes of action. Her 19 points were the most off the bench in a season opener since Tiana Murphy had 19 against Central Michigan to start the 2017-18 season.
Freshman Hila Karsh tallied 12 points on an efficient 4-of-5 from the field and 4-of-4 at the line. She grabbed five rebounds, dished out two assists and had a steal and a block. Tara Daye and Lana McCarthy were within reach of a double-double, both finishing with 10 points and seven rebounds. McCarthy matched her career high with three assists, while Daye had two assists and a game-high three steals.
The Boilermakers shot 41.5% from the field and went 5-of-19 from distance. Purdue drew 22 fouls and knocked down 18 of 25 free throw opportunities. Purdue finished with a plus-16 rebounding advantage at 46-30, led by Saige Stahl’s nine boards off the bench.
Defensively, Purdue held FDU (0-1) to 27.4% from the field and 5-of-26 behind the arc. Purdue converted 19 turnovers into 29 points.
KEY MOMENTS
After FDU opened the night on a five-point possession, the Boilermakers took over with a 16-2 run. The Boilermakers scored their first five points in the paint and went 6-of-6 at the line during the run. Purdue held a 16-13 advantage after the first period.
Purdue’s long ball came to life in the second. Smith connected on a trio of 3-pointers as part of a 12-point frame. The hosts went 8-of-17 from the floor and 7-of-11 at the line in the second. Fifteen of Purdue 26 points in the period came off FDU turnovers. The Boilermakers opened a 23-point advantage late in the first half after rolling off a 21-1 run.
Madison Layden-Zay knocked down a pair of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to keep Purdue’s lead at 19 in the final frame.
NOTES
• Purdue leads the all-time series with FDU 1-0.
• Layden-Zay’s two 3-pointers put her within six of Cassidy Hardin for fourth on Purdue’s all-time chart.
• She made her 94th career start to pull even with Ashley Morrissette for 27th in Purdue history.
• She also passed Bridget Perry for 34th on the career scoring list and now has 1,030 points.
• Hila Karsh became 16th freshman to start the opener since 1982-83.
• The Boilermakers held an opponent under 50 points for the fifth time in the Katie Gearlds era.
• Layden-Zay set a new career high with three blocked shots.
UP NEXT
The Boilermakers will close out their two-game homestand to start the season with a 7 p.m. Thursday night tip against Eastern Illinois. It will be the annual Hoops and Heroes game at Mackey Arena.
