Dec 1, 2002
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) - Free-throw shooting and defense helped No. 6 Purdue avoid an upset on a day when its shots weren't falling.
Shereka Wright scored 19 points and Beth Jones had 13 as No. 6 Purdue defeated Southern Mississippi 65-53 Sunday.
The Boilermakers (5-0) shot just 38 percent from the field, but held the Lady Eagles (2-2) to 39 percent shooting and forced 27 turnovers.
"We have to give Southern Miss credit for hanging in there," Purdue coach Kristy Curry said. "They matched us well in the first half in energy and intensity. I'm glad we were aggressive in the second half and did well at the free throw line."
Wright was 5-for-8 from the field and 8-for-10 from the line. She also had eight rebounds.
Mary Jo Noon added 12 points for Purdue and Emily Heikes had 10. Erika Valek had eight of Purdue's 18 steals. Jones had five steals.
"They are sixth-ranked in the country for a reason and are expected to move up in the polls. They don't beat themselves, and they are very well coached," Southern Miss coach Rick Reeves said.
Dana Jones led Southern Miss with 11 points and La'Tasha Sumerall had 10, including two 3-pointers.
Purdue led 26-24 at the half.
Noon connected on two free throws to put Purdue up 49-39 with 8:06 left.
But Southern Miss stayed close throughout the second half. Dana Jones hit two free throws with about three minutes left to cut Purdue's lead to 54-50.
"Purdue is averaging over 90 points a game, so for us to hold them to 65 is an achievement," Reeves said. "I'm glad we were able to outrebound them (32-30), which was an area we wanted to focus on."
The Lady Eagles held a 32-30 edge on the boards.
The Boilermakers pulled away with 11 free throws down the stretch.
Purdue was 26-for-32 from the line, including 22-of-26 in the second half.