WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Interstat) — In a game defined by defensive pressure and critical mistakes, the Oregon Ducks weathered a frantic fourth-quarter rally to secure a 71-65 victory over the Purdue Boilermakers in a Big Ten women’s basketball matchup Wednesday night at Mackey Arena.

The Ducks, who improved to 20-10 overall, built a commanding 15-point lead entering the final period but saw it nearly evaporate under a relentless Purdue comeback attempt before holding on for the win. The Boilermakers fell to 11-16.

Oregon’s defensive identity proved decisive. The Ducks forced 21 Purdue turnovers, converting them into 28 points, while committing only 11 turnovers themselves. Oregon also tallied 16 steals, more than quadrupling Purdue’s total of four. That disruptive defense fueled their offense, generating easier scoring opportunities and allowing them to overcome a subpar shooting night from the field, where they finished 25 of 56.

The most important stretch of the game came not in the final minutes, but in the second quarter, where Oregon established the cushion it would desperately need later. After a tightly contested first quarter ended tied at 17, the Ducks unleashed a 22-11 second-quarter run to take a 39-28 halftime lead. That surge was powered by their defensive intensity, as they forced eight Purdue turnovers in the period. Guard Katie Fiso was instrumental, scoring 10 of her team-high 19 points in the first half, often capitalizing on the chaos created by Oregon’s pressure.

Purdue, struggling against Oregon’s active hands and unable to find an offensive rhythm, shot just 5 of 18 from three-point range for the game and managed only four assists as a team, a stark contrast to Oregon’s 16. The Boilermakers’ offense frequently devolved into isolation plays, unable to solve the Ducks’ defensive schemes.

Despite the large deficit, Purdue refused to capitulate in the fourth quarter. Sparked by the duo of Nya Smith and Lana McCarthy, the Boilermakers mounted a 24-point final period, outscoring Oregon by 11. Smith, who led all scorers with 20 points, and McCarthy, who added 18, attacked the basket relentlessly, cutting the lead to as few as four points in the closing minutes. Purdue’s effort was aided by Oregon’s offensive stagnation, as the Ducks managed just two field goals over a critical six-minute span late in the game.

However, Oregon’s early work at the free-throw line and key conversions down the stretch sealed the outcome. The Ducks went 15 of 21 from the charity stripe, including crucial makes in the final minute. After Smith’s driving layup brought Purdue within 65-61 with 42 seconds left, Oregon’s Ehis Etute was fouled and calmly sank two free throws to push the lead back to six. Following another Purdue basket, Fiso hit one of two free throws with three seconds remaining to provide the final margin.

Etute, a guard from Dudelange, Luxembourg, provided vital secondary scoring for Oregon with 17 points. Sofia Bell added nine points and was a central figure in the defensive effort with multiple steals. For Purdue, Tara Daye joined Smith and McCarthy in double figures with 15 points.

The game’s statistical profile underscored Oregon’s winning formula. While both teams had nearly identical field goal percentages, Oregon’s significant advantages in assists, steals, and turnover margin created the extra possessions necessary to prevail in a low-possession, grind-it-out contest. Purdue won the rebounding battle, particularly on the offensive glass with 11, but could not overcome its ball-security issues.

Oregon, which entered as an 8.5-point favorite according to sportsbooks, saw the total score of 136 fall well under the projected over/under of 140.5, a testament to the defensive struggle. The Ducks will look to build on this road win when they host Washington on Sunday. Purdue, meanwhile, will travel to face Northwestern on Sunday, seeking to end a two-game skid.

The announced attendance at Mackey Arena was 5,428.