WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - Shereka Wright had 23 points and nine rebounds to lead eighth-ranked Purdue to a 65-61 victory Friday night over 20th-ranked UC Santa Barbara.
Wright had five crucial points late in the game for the Boilermakers (8-1), who overcame horrendous shooting in the first half to avoid the upset.
The Gauchos (5-3) took a 58-57 lead with just over two minutes to play on two free throws by Lindsay Taylor. But Wright responded with a jumper and a 3-pointer on consecutive possessions to give Purdue a 62-58 lead with 1:04 to play.
Kristen Mann led UC Santa Barbara with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Taylor added 17 points and 14 rebounds.
The Boilermakers trailed the entire first half thanks to poor shooting. Purdue shot 22 percent - 7 of 32 - in falling behind 30-25. Purdue still shot just 31 percent for the game after shooting 32 percent against UCLA in a 58-57 win last week.
The Gauchos exploited Purdue's diminutive front line with the 6-foot-8 Taylor, who had an eight-inch height advantage on counterpart Emily Heikes.
Taylor controlled the middle on both ends of the floor, blocking shots and earning second-chance points with her rebounds.
Purdue countered by making 21 of 28 free throws. The Gauchos were 13 of 17 from the line.