March 3, 2001
By JAMES PRICHARD
Associated Press Writer
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Purdue's rebounding and defense stole the spotlight from Katie Douglas.
Douglas scored 18 points - 14 in the first half - and Camille Cooper had 16 points and 14 rebounds as No. 8 Purdue beat Michigan 74-55 Saturday in a Big Ten tournament semifinal game.
The Boilermakers (26-5), behind Cooper, outrebounded the Wolverines 44-31, created twice as many (16-8) turnovers and made nine steals to Michigan's one.
"It seems to me when we rebound, we're at our best, especially going to the opposite glass" Purdue head coach Kristy Curry said.
Nine of Cooper's rebounds were on the defensive boards.
Shereka Wright scored 15 for Purdue. The Boilermakers, the tournament's top seed, advanced to Sunday's championship game at Van Andel Arena.
Fifth-seeded Michigan (18-11) was led by Raina Goodlow, who had 16 points on 7-for-9 shooting. Alayne Ingram scored 15 and Anne Thorius 13. LeeAnn Bies shot 1-for-6 from the field but made six free throws and finished with eight points and eight rebounds.
Behind Douglas' scoring and Cooper's dominance on the boards, the Boilermakers took control of the game midway through the first half and led 36-21 at the break.
"Our focus and energy was (directed) toward the second half and not letting them get back into the game," Douglas said.
Purdue trailed 13-12 before Douglas hit a long 3-pointer from the right side with 11:11 left in the half. The Boilermakers went on a 13-3 run that shook Michigan's confidence.
"I think the offensive rebounds and the turnovers, the missed layups, the missed free throws and the missed puppies are what hurt us," Wolverines head coach Sue Guevara said. "When it's against a team like Purdue, it's tough to get back."
Douglas shot 6-for-8 from the field and had 14 points in the half. Purdue outrebounded the Wolverines 23-12, with Cooper pulling down 12.
Michigan shot just 28.6 percent, 6-for-21, in the first half.