Purdue women’s basketball concluded its opening four-game homestand on Sunday with a 70-61 win against Samford.
The Boilermakers maintained an undefeated record of 4-0 to start the 2026-27 season, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
Guard Hannah Wickstrom led the effort with 20 points and 10 rebounds, marking her first double-double of the year.
Reflecting on the team’s ability to adjust during the game, Wickstrom noted, “I like how we adapt, and we always find a way to fight.”
Purdue played without injured starter Avery Gordon, who tweaked her ankle during a previous game against Southeast Missouri State.
Averi Aaron filled the starting center role, contributing eight points and six rebounds to the victory.
Head coach Katie Gearlds opted to keep Gordon on the bench to ensure her availability for upcoming road games.
The team is scheduled to travel to Florida this week for the WBCA Showcase in Orlando.
Purdue is set to face Florida State on Thursday followed by a matchup against Texas Tech on Saturday.
The upcoming games represent a step up in competition for the squad, according to the Journal & Courier.
Gearlds emphasized the need for consistency, stating, “Our bad has been really, really bad, and it happens so fast and so quickly, so we’ve got to make sure we clean that up.”
Despite the win, the Boilermakers struggled from behind the arc, shooting only 4-of-25 from three-point range.
Purdue also received a contribution from Kyndall Hunter, who has been settling into her new role with the program, per the Journal & Courier.
The team looks to use the Orlando trip to further define its identity and improve its performance over four full quarters.