Nov 29, 2001
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Shereka Wright didn't feel as if she contributed enough in the first half for No. 10 Purdue.
But she made up for it by scoring 15 of her game-high 21 points in the second half as the Boilermakers pulled away to defeat Tulane 64-52 Thursday night for their fourth straight victory.
"I was more aggressive in the second half," Wright said. "I had been looking to be more aggressive.
"I told myself in the first half that I wasn't involved enough in helping my team out. I think my instincts took over. When the offense breaks down, try to penetrate and great things happen when you penetrate."
Purdue (4-1) struggled in the first half and trailed 28-26 at the break.
Wright scored 12 points as Purdue outscored Tulane, 19-6, during the final seven minutes. She made 9-of-10 free throws.
Laura Meadows scored nine of her 17 points for Purdue in the first half. Kelly Komara had 11.
"(Wright) is just an incredible player," Komara said. "She makes the rest of us better and that's what great players do."
Teana McKiver and Delacey Joseph led Tulane (4-1) with 13 points apiece.
Purdue outrebounded Tulane, 44-38, including 19-15 on offensive rebounds.
"The offensive rebounds were the key to the game," Tulane coach Lisa Stockton said. "They were stronger and we were more athletic. They won that battle. We didn't play particularly well in the first half but we had a lead at halftime and we felt good about that."
The Boilermakers outscored the Green Wave 19-9 to open the second half and take a 45-37 lead with 12 minutes left in the game.
Tulane rebounded to score nine straight points and take a 46-45 lead on Joseph's baseline jumper with 7:22 remaining.
Wright scored on a drive to end a 6{-minute scoring drought and put Purdue back on top.
The Boilermakers scored nine of the next 10 points and held Tulane without a field goal for 5{ minutes. Four free throws by Wright put Purdue in command with a 56-47 advantage with 2:24 remaining.