February 14, 1999
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - Camile Cooper matched her career-high of 19 points and had a career-high 13 rebounds as No. 2 Purdue beat turnover-plagued Ohio State 88-58 Sunday, extending the school record for consecutive victories to 21.
Stephanie White-McCarty scored 18 points and had six assists before the first home sellout for a women's game ever at Mackey Arena. The crowd of 14,123 raised Purdue's average home attendance this season to 9,745, third in the nation for women's basketball.
Purdue never trailed and took command early when Ohio State had 19 turnovers and only 18 shots in the first half as the Boilermakers went ahead 50-20 at the break.
The Boilermakers can tie the conference record for consecutive victories by winning at Minnesota on Friday, and if successful, would go for the record set by Iowa in the 1987-88 when they visit Northwestern next Sunday.
Purdue (23-1, 14-0 Big Ten) began the game with a 14-3 run that included six turnovers by the Buckeyes (15-9, 8-6). Ohio State never drew closer than nine points again and trailed by as many as 38 in the second half.
A 67 percent shooting effort (22-of-33) helped produce the halftime lead, while Ohio State shot 44 percent (8-of-18) in the period.
Ukari Figgs, who like White-McCarty was playing her final regular-season home game, had 14 of her 18 points in the first half. Katie Douglas was perfect from the field in the opening half while scoring 11, making all five of her shots and her lone free throw. She finished with 17 points.
Lauren Shenk scored 17 points and was the only Ohio State player in double figures.
The Buckeyes finished with 26 turnovers, matching the season-high by a Purdue opponent.
Having already clinched the top seed in the upcoming Big Ten post-season tournament, the Boilermakers are also seeking a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament which would make them a host school for the opening two rounds.
White-McCarty raised her career points total to 1,975. With 25 more, she would be the seventh woman in conference history with 2,000.
By HANK LOWENKRON
AP Sports Writer