Jan. 18, 2001
By DAN GELSTON
Associated Press Writer
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - Katie Douglas scored 15 points and No. 6 Purdue closed the game on an 18-4 run to defeat Michigan State 57-34 Thursday night.
The Boilermakers, who haven't lost to the Spartans at home since 1988, put the game away in the final eight minutes.
Shereka Wright's 3-pointer at the 12:35 mark gave Purdue (16-3, 6-0 Big Ten) a 31-22 lead.
Erin Skelly scored two straight baskets to close within five. Wright made a free throw on the next possession, but Abby Salscheider's basket made it 32-28.
That was as close as the Spartans (8-9, 2-4) would get as Purdue went on a 7-0 run. Douglas' free throw pushed the lead to 40-30.
Kelly Komara stole the ball at halfcourt and scored a layup, then followed on the next possession with a 3-pointer at the 6:05 mark for a 45-30 lead. Purdue's 13-0 run ended on Christie Pung's basket with 2:23 left.
The Boilermakers were sluggish at the outset. They missed seven of their first 11 shots and trailed 11-9 with just under 10 minutes left. But Douglas' off-balance bank shot tied the score at 11. She sank a free throw and then scored the next six points to stretch the lead to 18-11.
Purdue led 22-15 at the half.
Camille Cooper scored 11 points and Shalicia Hurns had 10 points and eight rebounds for Purdue. Julie Pagel led Michigan State with 10 points.
The Spartans made only six field goals in the first half and shot 30 percent overall.