Feb 16, 2003
By DAN GELSTON
Associated Press Writer
WEST LAFYETTE, Ind. - Purdue did two things it does best to remain in the Big Ten race - get points in the paint and dominate Illinois.
Shereka Wright scored 24 points and Mary Jo Noon added 21 as No. 9 Purdue beat Illinois 79-67 Sunday.
The Boilermakers (20-4, 9-3 Big Ten) improved to 12-0 at home and beat Illinois for the 10th straight time. The Illini (14-9, 6-6) haven't won at Mackey Arena since 1984 and have lost 28 of their last 30 against the Boilermakers.
"That's not the only team we've done that to," Purdue coach Kristy Curry said. "They're not the only ones we've had quite a bit of success against."
Purdue's success Sunday came from the inside. Its offense is centered on working the ball there, and it was done perfectly, thanks to Wright and Noon.
"You think this is where we're going to be able to exploit them," Noon said. "That's been the area where we can do that. We do a very good job of exploiting those areas."
Noon used her 3-inch height advantage over Illinois center Cindy Dallas to easily grab most of the passes lobbed her way for high-percentage baskets. She didn't stray more than a few feet away from the basket and went 7-for-9 from the field with seven rebounds.
Noon, whose scoring average has dipped by about two points from last season, surpassed 20 points for the first time in conference play. She had scored 18 points, the last time in a victory last month also against Illinois.
Wright said Noon plays better when she has early success.
"It's important for us to get her going early in the game. There's nobody in the Big Ten that can really guard her," Wright said. "She needs that confidence going into the tournament."
Wright continued to do what she does best, slashing her way to the basket for easy layups or fouls. She made all six of her attempts from the line as Purdue went 19-for-20 from the line.
"I'm trying to get myself in position where I can be aggressive from the get-go," Wright said. "It's important for me and it's important for my team for me to start off like that."
The 19 free throws tied a school record set Feb. 2 against Ohio State.
Aminata Yanni led Illinois with 16 points and Karen Hagberg and Angelina Williams each scored 15. The Illini are looking for some consistency heading into next month's Big Ten tournament.
"It's just a matter of getting to that next level," Illinois coach Theresa Grentz said. "We just haven't been able to do it so far."
With Penn State's loss to Iowa on Sunday, the Boilermakers moved 1? games behind the Lady Lions for first place in the Big Ten. Wright said the Boilermakers need to win their last four games if they want their third straight title, and she's ready to lead the charge.
"It's a real close race right now," Wright said. "It's going to have to start with me and me being aggressive and getting my teammates involved."
Curry appreciated the Hawkeyes' win but is weary of ending the season at Iowa on March 2.
"I'm thankful for a little bit of help," she said. "We can still control our own destiny. But we still have to go to an Iowa (team) that did what they did to Penn State."
Purdue also outrebounded Illinois 42-26. The Boilermakers took a 44-31 lead into halftime then led by as many as 21 in the second half.
Purdue won its 29th straight Big Ten home game and won 20 games in a season for the 15th time in the last 17 years.