Feb 27, 2003
By DAN GELSTON
Associated Press Writer
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Erika Valek scored 15 points, Shereka Wright had 14 as No. 11 Purdue beat Indiana 74-48 Thursday night.
Emily Heikes added a career-high 13 to help fourth-year coach Kristy Curry (100-26) reach 100 career victories faster than any other in Purdue's history.
The Boilermakers (22-5, 10-5 Big Ten) finished the regular season 14-0 at home. They also went undefeated at Mackey Arena in the 1998-99 (13-0) and 1993-94 (14-0) seasons.
Purdue hardly played its best game of the season - shooting 38 percent - but had enough to put away the Hooisers (11-14, 4-11) thanks to a 27-9 run late in the second half.
Both Missy Taylor and Beth Jones hit 3-pointers, and Lindsey Hicks and Mary Jo Noon added three-point plays during the run. Valek turned a steal into a layup, one of 19 turnovers for the Hoosiers, and the rout was on.
Noon, Purdue's lone senior, missed 10 of her 12 shots in her final home game, but backup Heikes made up for it. She went 6-for-10 from the floor and pulled down seven rebounds.
Jenny DeMuth led Indiana with 15 points as the Hoosiers lost to Purdue for the 31st time in 36 games.
Purdue went 27-for-31 from the free-throw line. Indiana was 16-for-22.
It was the second time the teams played each other but first in conference play. Purdue beat the Hoosiers 53-51 in a rare nonconference game in December.