Nov 24, 2002
By DAN GELSTON
Associated Press Writer
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Beth Jones waited two seasons for the chance to start. She's making the most of her opportunity.
Jones scored 18 points, and Shereka Wright added 15 points and 10 rebounds to lead No. 7 Purdue to a 91-57 victory over Pacific on Sunday.
"I'm just happy to be playing," Jones said. "I enjoy the consistency more, and as a shooter that's real important. It's easier for me to get into the flow of the game."
The Boilermakers (2-0) broke the game open with a 37-7 run to close the first half. Purdue made more shots from the line (17) than the field (15) in the first half, and limited Pacific to 28 percent shooting.
Pacific (0-2) scored seven straight points early in the second half to close within 53-26, but Jones started a 14-4 run with a 3-pointer to stall the comeback bid.
Jones, a junior who spent the past two seasons as a reserve, has been an early 3-point threat, making four against Pacific and three in the season opener. She's playing with an injured thumb on her right hand, but she says it doesn't affect her shooting.
Jones displayed glimpses of her potential last season, including a 22-point game against Southern Mississippi. She appeared in all 30 games but never more than 24 minutes. It was a tough adjustment for Jones, who led her high school team to an Ohio state championship.
"Most college athletes, I think, struggle with that when they first come in," she said. "I know I did with my confidence. I had to have faith that I could play like I did in high school."
Coach Kristy Curry said Jones accepted her role, paid her dues, continued to improve and deserves to start.
"Our team has seen the benefits of all her hard work," Curry said. "She's earned everything that's coming to her."
The Boilermakers shot 23-for-30 from the line, while the Tigers finished 9-for-17. Mary Jo Noon shot 8-for-9 from the line and finished with 16 points for Purdue. Lindsey Hicks scored 11, and 10 Boilermakers scored.
"If they're going to leave us open, we're going to have to pull the trigger," Curry said. "We're going to see those openings."
Gillian d'Hondt and Alicia Smith led the Tigers with 10 points.
"This is a new experience for us. We're here to see what Big Ten basketball is all about," Pacific coach Craig Jackson said. "They let us know in the first half. This is why we added these games to the schedule - so we can see what it takes to be better."
Purdue reserve forward Emily Heikes left the game midway through the first half after being elbowed in the face by d'Hondt. Heikes covered her face with a towel as she was helped from the court to the locker room.
Heikes returned to the bench three minutes later, and entered the game with 2:02 left while sporting a bandage on her nose and wearing Hannah Anderson's jersey. She finished with two points.
Curry said Heikes had a deep cut on her nose and will not miss any games.