March 16, 2001
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By DAN GELSTON
Associated Press Writer
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Camille Cooper scored 23 points and Purdue used a late run to hold off UC Santa Barbara 75-62 on Friday night in the first round of the Mideast Regional.
The Boilermakers held a seven-point lead early in the second half after Katie Douglas's 3-pointer. But the Gauchos rallied to tie it at 39 on Jessica Hansen's jumper.
Douglas hit another 3-pointer to give Purdue (27-6) a 42-39 edge, but Santa Barbara's Nicole Greathouse tied it again with a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession.
Shalicia Hurn's layup with just more than 10 minutes made it 44-42 and proved to be the game-winner.
Purdue clamped down on defense as the Gaucho's (22-9) could not solve its full-court press and were harassed into 24 turnovers.
Purdue again led by seven, when Cooper missed a free-throw. Kelly Komara, who scored 14, swooped in and put it back for a layup. Two possessions later it was Komara who had another steal and went the length of the court for the easy basket and a 56-47 lead.
The Gauchos would never get closer than seven points.
Neither team shot better than 43 percent which allowed for plenty of chances on the glass. Lindsay Taylor had 12 points and 11 rebounds to give the Gauchos a 41-37 edge on the boards.
Douglas, an All-American, was scoreless in the first half and finished with 14 points and nine rebounds.
Greathouse and Kayte Christensen led Santa Barbara with 13 points each.
Purdue, which lost at home in the second round last year, trailed 20-14 early in the first half. An 18-8 run gave them a 32-28 halftime lead.
The Boilermakers were 24-of-35 from the free-throw line while the Gauchos made nine of 14 attempts.
Purdue will play Louisiana State, who beat Arizona State 83-66, in the second round Sunday.