Gophers women's basketball gameday

6 p.m. at Purdue • NO TV, 88.5-FM

About the Gophers (10-5, 2-2 Big Ten): The Boilermakers provide an intriguing matchup for the Gophers, who are 6-23 at Mackey Arena. The Gophers rely on their three-point shooting, averaging a Big Ten-high 9.5 per game. Purdue is third in the conference in defending the three, with opponents making 26.2 percent. Guards Rachel Banham (3.2), Mikayla Bailey (2.6) and Carlie Wagner (2.3) all are among the top 10 in the league in three-pointers made per game. Guard Shayne Mullaney, asked to provide more offense for a smaller lineup, is averaging 9.1 points per game — her career average was 7.3 into this season — and is second on the team with 5.7 rebounds per game. She is shooting 66.7 percent from the field in the past three games.

About Purdue (13-2, 4-0): Though the Boilermakers were expected to improve this season, few anticipated them to go undefeated and be tied with Ohio State atop the Big Ten standings after two weeks of conference play. They have gotten there with outstanding defense. Purdue held its first nine opponents to 60 or fewer points through regulation and is ranked second in the Big Ten in scoring defense (54.7 points per game). The Boilermakers have won eight games in a row since back-to-back close losses to Stanford and Boston College. Senior guard April Wilson leads Purdue with 14.8 points per game, while guard Ashley Morrissette (12.1) and forward Bridget Perry (12) also are scoring in double figures.

RACHEL BLOUNT