Nov 22, 2002
MILWAUKEE (AP) - Winning was the No. 1 goal for the Purdue Boilermakers in Friday night's season opener. Getting through it without having their players break a heavy sweat could have been No. 2.
Shereka Wright scored 21 points as the seventh-ranked Boilermakers defeated Wisconsin-Milwaukee 82-59 while resting Wright and the rest of the starters for much of the second half.
Wright played a total of 27 minutes, the most of any Boilermaker
"It's good to get the first one under our belt," Purdue coach Kristy Curry said. "I was happy with the way we played in the first half, but there are some areas where we have to get better."
The Panthers fell victim to Purdue's man-to-man defense in the first half, when Wisconsin-Milwaukee committed 13 turnovers. Five came on steals by Purdue guard Erika Valek, who finished with seven for the game, tying a career-high.
Maria Viall led the Panthers with 21 points on 10-of-18 shooting; she also blocked six shots.
Jessica Wilhite, the outside half of the Panthers' one-two punch, was stifled by Valek and Purdue's other quick guard, Beth Jones. Wilhite scored just nine points - on three 3-pointers.
"We've got to get Jess more open looks than we got her tonight," Panthers coach Sandy Botham said. "When she did get some open looks (in the second half), she looked almost surprised."
Valek finished with 19 points on 8-for-9 shooting from the field. Jones, in her first career start, scored 13.
All 12 Boilermakers saw playing time; nine scored.
Purdue shot 18 for 22 from the free throw line, while the Panthers connected on just 4-of-10 charity attempts.