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WEST LAFAYETTE ― Beating a ranked opponent? Check.
Now came the longstanding task of vanquishing a rival that has buried Purdue women's basketball for 13 consecutive games.
The redemption tour for the 2025-26 Boilermakers continued with a victory to change the perception of who holds favor in the battle for the Barn Burner Trophy.
Sophomore Nya Smith helped Purdue shake off a slow start with a daggering second quarter to put Indiana on its heels and ultimately beat the Hoosiers 80-69 Sunday.
IU insider: Indiana women basketball in 'very foreign place' after first loss to Purdue in 7 years
Smith finished with a team high 13 points. She previously played at UNC Greensboro and was named SoCon Sixth Woman of the Year last year before being one of six players to join Purdue via the transfer portal.
"Everybody is really hungry," Smith said. "Everybody is really hungry. We all have a common goal. So, everyone is doing what they need to do for the team. To have moments like this is very special."
The Boilermakers overcame an incredible effort from Indiana guard Shay Ciezki, who finished with 37 points but also with nine turnovers.
Purdue (11-9, 3-6 Big Ten) captured the Barn Burner Trophy for the first time since 2016 (nine games) while defeating Indiana overall for the first time since Jan. 20, 2019 (13 games).
Smith and her teammates gave the fans who braved the slick, snowy roads to travel to Mackey Arena more reason to believe the downward trajectory of 2024-25 was gone.
Purdue shook off its scoring drought from its west coast trip to shoot 49.1% from the field Sunday.
More: This player trained with Katie Gearlds, who saw herself in Purdue women's basketball returnee
Freshman Hila Karsh finished 4 of 5 from 3-point range and finished with 12 points, her highest scoring total since dropping 11 on Illinois on Dec. 28. Senior captain Madison Layden-Zay added 12 points and six assists.
"Obviously a big rivalry coming from the state of Indiana," Layden-Zay said. "It's really special. We just had to come in today and lock in. We did that today. Followed the game plan, followed the scout. It can always be better, but just keep moving forward from here."
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The season looked grim early for Purdue. Losses on the road to Central Michigan and Purdue Fort Wayne were low marks for a program that had missed the Big Ten Conference tournament last season.
Now, Gearlds has her first victory against Indiana as a coach after beating the Hoosiers eight times as a player.
It was a complete effort with nine Purdue players scoring at least four points and tallying 21 assists. The Boilermakers took charges as Edessa Noyan and Jade Ondineme each fouled out for Indiana.
"We obviously know things didn't go our way in the West Coast, but we just need to keep working," Gearlds said.
More: Family figures into 3-point success for Purdue guard Madison Layden-Zay
Gearlds remembers her losses more than the wins as a player. At last, her first victory as a coach comes with a recollection of watching Layden-Zay hoist the Barn Burner Trophy.
"Watching her celebrate with the Paint Crew and then grabbing the trophy from (sports information director Ian MacDougall) is one of the coolest moments I've experienced as a coach," Gearlds said.
Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at [email protected], on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue women's basketball win vs Indiana snaps losing streak, shows improvement
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