INDIANAPOLIS (Interstat) — The Oregon Ducks and Purdue Boilermakers meet for the second time in eight days with higher stakes Wednesday in a first-round game of the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Championship at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The No. 10-seed Ducks (20-11) enter the postseason looking to solidify their NCAA Tournament resume after a narrow 70-69 home loss to Washington on Sunday. The No. 15-seed Boilermakers (12-16) snapped a five-game skid with a 67-62 road win at Northwestern that same day.

Oregon won the regular-season meeting 71-65 in West Lafayette on Feb. 25, led by 19 points from guard Katie Fiso. The sophomore is Oregon’s primary offensive catalyst, averaging 19.2 points over her last five games. She erupted for 27 points in the loss to Washington.

Purdue will counter with guard Nya Smith, who is playing heavy minutes and shouldering a significant load. Smith averaged 38.2 minutes and 16.4 points over the last five contests. She posted 16 points and seven assists in the victory over Northwestern, providing a crucial boost for a team that had struggled in close games.

The Ducks have been inconsistent down the stretch, alternating wins and losses over their last six games. Their defense, which allowed just 65 points to Purdue last week, will be tested by Smith’s playmaking and the supporting scoring of Tara Daye and Kiki Smith, who combined for 35 points against Northwestern.

Purdue’s season has been defined by offensive struggles, including a 48-point outing at UCLA in January. Their win at Northwestern, however, showed a resilience they hope to carry into the conference tournament.

The winner will advance to face the seed in the second round on Thursday. For Oregon, a deep run is expected to secure an at-large NCAA bid. For Purdue, the tournament represents a chance to salvage a difficult season and build momentum for the future. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EDT.