Nov. 9, 2003
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue women's basketball team rolled to an 80-34 victory against the Holland National Team in its second and final exhibition contest Sunday, in Mackey Arena. The Boilermakers now can shift their attention to their season opener, which will be played at home against Kansas State on Nov. 16.
Purdue raced out to a 16-0 lead against Holland, behind four points from both senior Erika Valek and freshman Erin Lawless. Holland, which was coming off a 94-71 tour-opening loss at Illinois on Saturday, did not get on the scoreboard until the 12:16 mark of the first half, when Petra Rutgers connected off a feed from Nienke Geerts.
The Boilermakers led 35-16 at halftime. They led Holland by at least 19 points through the remainder of the contest, and led by as many as 49 with 33 seconds left.
Three Purdue players finished in doubles figures. Lawless, who missed the Boilermakers' first exhibition contest due to a concussion, led the way with 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the floor. Valek added 14, and senior Lindsey Hicks contributed 13. Valek also led Purdue with six rebounds, while senior Beth Jones and freshman Katie Gearlds tied for the team lead in assists, with three apiece.
Marloes Roetgerink led Holland with 11 points. She was the only player on her team to score in double figures.
Purdue shot 52.5 percent from the field, but managed to connect on just 18-of-30 free throws (.600). The Boilermakers were 0-for-8 from international three-point range.
Holland, meanwhile, shot 25.9 percent from the floor (15-58) and 50 percent from the free throw line (3-6). The team made 1-of-12 three-pointers.
Holland struggled with 29 turnovers, on which Purdue recorded 15 steals. Both teams grabbed 39 rebounds.
Purdue will have one week off before meeting the Wildcats in the nightcap of the 2003 State Farm Women's Tip-Off Classic. Preceding the game between No. 9 Purdue and No. 5 Kansas State will be a match-up between No. 2 Duke and No. 3 Texas. The first game will tip at 2:30 p.m., while the second will tip at 5 p.m.
Tickets to the premier event in women's college basketball are available. Fans can buy tickets in person at the Purdue Athletic Ticket Office, located in the Intercollegiate Athletic Facility adjacent to Mackey Arena, or can call 1-800-49-SPORT.
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