Jan 18, 2004
By JON KRAWCZYNSKI
Associated Press Writer
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - Shereka Wright's 24 points and 10 rebounds lifted No. 9 Purdue past previously unbeaten and sixth-ranked Minnesota 65-56 Sunday.
The Gophers (15-1, 4-1 Big Ten) entered the game as the only undefeated team in Division I, but they couldn't come up with the big shots when they had to against Purdue (14-2, 4-1).
The Boilermakers frustrated Lindsay Whalen, the nation's second-leading scorer with a 23-point average, for most of the game. A late surge helped her finish with 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting.
Purdue doubled Whalen on most possessions and contested nearly every shot, forcing her to commit nine turnovers. When she was taken out of the game with just over eight minutes to play, Whalen pounded her chair in frustration before sitting down.
Janel McCarville tried to pick up the slack while Whalen struggled during the first 30 minutes. McCarville had 18 points and nine rebounds, dominating the smaller Purdue front line.
But McCarville got into foul trouble midway through the second half, and Purdue took advantage, attacking the inside and getting to the foul line. McCarville fouled out with 1:53 to play.
Purdue overcame 33 percent shooting by making 34-of-41 free throws, including 20-of-24 in the second half. Minnesota was just 7-of-12 on its foul shots.
Wright scored eight of her points in the final 3:30, when the Gophers were trying to get back in the game.
Whalen hit consecutive drives, then found Shannon Schonrock for a 3-pointer that pulled the Gophers within 53-50 with 3:09 to play.
Wright answered with four free throws and a pair of drives to push the lead back to 61-54 with 1:27 to play.
Katie Gearlds had 11 points, and Emily Heikes added eight points and nine rebounds for Purdue, which won its fifth consecutive game.