Feb 22, 2004
By JON KRAWCZYNSKI
Associated Press Writer
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - Shereka Wright and Erika Valek weren't about to let Michigan State ruin their senior day.
Wright had 24 points and 12 rebounds and Valek hit a key 3-pointer late to lead No. 5 Purdue to a 59-56 victory over the 20th-ranked Spartans on Sunday.
Wright, Valek and fellow seniors Beth Jones and Lindsey Hicks were honored with a postgame ceremony for their careers at Purdue, which include two Big Ten championships, a Big Ten tournament title and an appearance in the 2001 NCAA Final Four.
"Michigan State played great," Wright said. "But we wanted it more."
Wright, who was 10-for-17 from the field, scored seven straight points during a decisive 16-4 run to start the second half. She scored on two putbacks, then converted a three-point play off a fast break that propelled the Boilermakers (23-2, 13-1) to their 14th straight win.
Michigan State (19-6, 9-5) dominated the first half with physical defense on Wright and opportunistic offense from Kristin Haynie. Haynie scored 13 of her 19 points in the first half to help the Spartans take a 26-22 halftime lead.
"We got better as a team today," Spartans coach Joanne McCallie said. "But at the same time, some of the same old problems reared their heads."
The Spartans were outrebounded 36-26, including 12-5 on the offensive boards, and were 8-of-10 from the free throw line compared to Purdue's 12-for-19.
Katie Gearlds added 14 points, including four 3-pointers, for Purdue. Her 3-pointer with 16:07 to play gave the Boilermakers a 31-28 lead, Purdue's first lead since 2-0.
"I just got a rhythm early and decided to keep shooting," Gearlds said.
Wright took over from there, scoring 14 points down the stretch to help deliver an emotional win for the seniors.
"This is the toughest team I've been on," Wright said. "We understood what it takes to be successful."
Purdue held Michigan State's leading scorer, Lindsay Bowen, to three points on 1-for-10 shooting.
After their solid first half, the Spartans folded under increased defensive pressure from Purdue in the second. They committed six turnovers in the half and missed several wide open layups and jump shots.
"We missed a lot of shots we shouldn't have," Haynie said. "But our defense is what lost the game for us. We let their shooters shoot in the second half."
Nevertheless, the Spartans were in the game until the very end. Michigan State used a 7-0 run late and pulled to 55-53 on a three-point play by Rene Haynes with 39 seconds left.
Valek then hit her clutch 3 with 18 seconds to go that pushed the lead to five.
"That was very fitting," Purdue coach Kristy Curry said. "She's struggled, but I tell her all the time that there's nobody in the nation I'd rather have running my team."
Haynes answered with a 3-pointer and Purdue's Emily Heikes made one free throw to cap the scoring.
Haynie's desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer was off the mark, giving Michigan State its second loss in a row and first on the road in six games.
Liz Shimek had 12 points and nine rebounds for Michigan State.
The Boilermakers made good on their opportunities in the second half. They made 11 of 13 free throws after going 1-for-6 from the line in the first half.
"That was the difference - offensive rebounds and free throws," McCallie said.
That, and maybe a little bit of desire too.
"We just had this refuse to lose mentality," Valek said. "We weren't going to let them come in on our senior day, on our home floor and embarrass us."