Northwestern University Athletics
Sunday, March 1
Evanston, Ill.
2 p.m. CT
Northwestern
vs
Purdue
Photo by: Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics
‘Cats To Celebrate Seniors, McKeown Against Purdue On Sunday
2/28/2026 11:30:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Northwestern seeks first win over Boilermakers since 2021-22 season
EVANSTON, Ill. (February 28, 2026) – Northwestern (8-20, 2-15 B1G) brings down the curtain on its 2025-26 season on Sunday afternoon when it welcomes Purdue to Welsh-Ryan Arena.
The Wildcats will honor their graduating seniors prior to the 2 p.m. CT tip-off, while a special ceremony recognizing head coach Joe McKeown, who is closing an illustrious 40-year head coaching career, will follow the matchup.
LAST TIME OUT
Grace Sullivan recorded her 18th game of 20-plus points this season as Northwestern fell in its road finale at No. 14 Maryland, 79-57, last Wednesday at XFINITY Center in College Park, Md.
Sullivan closed her night with a team-high 23 points on 10-of-20 shooting to reach the 20-point mark for the 11th time in Big Ten Conference play. Currently averaging 21.7 points per game, the senior forward enters Sunday's regular season finale with the third-highest single-season scoring average in program history.
Caroline Lau fell just short of her third double-double of the year, finishing with nine points and a season-high nine rebounds. Lau also dished out four assists to bring her season total to 232 and move within one helper of Ashley Deary (2015-16) for third on Northwestern's single-season record board in the category.
SCOUTING PURDUE
Purdue (12-16, 4-13 B1G), which has dropped seven of its last eight games, enters Sunday's regular season finale needing a win to secure a berth in the upcoming Big Ten Conference Tournament. Fifth-year head coach Katie Geralds' team came up short against Oregon, 71-65, last Wednesday at Mackey Arena.
Tara Daye sits atop the Purdue scoring chart, averaging 12.2 points per game. The only Boilermaker to start in all 28 games this season, Daye has scored in double figures 19 times, including a trio of 20-plus point performances.
Kiki Smith (10.8 ppg) is putting up just shy of 14 points per game across Purdue's last six contests, a run highlighted by a career-best 24-point outburst against Penn State on February 4.
Madison Layden-Zay rounds out a trio of Boilermakers to average in double figures in scoring, putting up 10.2 points per contest. Layden-Zay, who leads the Purdue roster in assists (83; 3.3 apg), serves as Purdue's top threat from distance, connecting on 2.2 three-point field goals per game. She has made at least three triples in nine games this season.
SERIES STUFF
Sunday's regular season finale will serve as the 82nd all-time meeting between Northwestern and Purdue. The Boilermakers have gained the upper hand of late, rattling off five straight wins over the 'Cats to stretch their series lead to 55-26 (.679).
Northwestern will look to avenge a 75-60 setback to the Boilermakers from last season at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind. Taylor Williams posted a double-double (17 points, 16 rebounds) to lead the 'Cats, while Lau (12 points) and Sullivan (10 points) joined her in double figures in scoring. Purdue operated a red-hot 49-percent clip from the field in the win.
The Wildcats will honor their graduating seniors prior to the 2 p.m. CT tip-off, while a special ceremony recognizing head coach Joe McKeown, who is closing an illustrious 40-year head coaching career, will follow the matchup.
LAST TIME OUT
Grace Sullivan recorded her 18th game of 20-plus points this season as Northwestern fell in its road finale at No. 14 Maryland, 79-57, last Wednesday at XFINITY Center in College Park, Md.
Sullivan closed her night with a team-high 23 points on 10-of-20 shooting to reach the 20-point mark for the 11th time in Big Ten Conference play. Currently averaging 21.7 points per game, the senior forward enters Sunday's regular season finale with the third-highest single-season scoring average in program history.
Caroline Lau fell just short of her third double-double of the year, finishing with nine points and a season-high nine rebounds. Lau also dished out four assists to bring her season total to 232 and move within one helper of Ashley Deary (2015-16) for third on Northwestern's single-season record board in the category.
SCOUTING PURDUE
Purdue (12-16, 4-13 B1G), which has dropped seven of its last eight games, enters Sunday's regular season finale needing a win to secure a berth in the upcoming Big Ten Conference Tournament. Fifth-year head coach Katie Geralds' team came up short against Oregon, 71-65, last Wednesday at Mackey Arena.
Tara Daye sits atop the Purdue scoring chart, averaging 12.2 points per game. The only Boilermaker to start in all 28 games this season, Daye has scored in double figures 19 times, including a trio of 20-plus point performances.
Kiki Smith (10.8 ppg) is putting up just shy of 14 points per game across Purdue's last six contests, a run highlighted by a career-best 24-point outburst against Penn State on February 4.
Madison Layden-Zay rounds out a trio of Boilermakers to average in double figures in scoring, putting up 10.2 points per contest. Layden-Zay, who leads the Purdue roster in assists (83; 3.3 apg), serves as Purdue's top threat from distance, connecting on 2.2 three-point field goals per game. She has made at least three triples in nine games this season.
SERIES STUFF
Sunday's regular season finale will serve as the 82nd all-time meeting between Northwestern and Purdue. The Boilermakers have gained the upper hand of late, rattling off five straight wins over the 'Cats to stretch their series lead to 55-26 (.679).
Northwestern will look to avenge a 75-60 setback to the Boilermakers from last season at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind. Taylor Williams posted a double-double (17 points, 16 rebounds) to lead the 'Cats, while Lau (12 points) and Sullivan (10 points) joined her in double figures in scoring. Purdue operated a red-hot 49-percent clip from the field in the win.
Players Mentioned
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