Feb 7, 2002
By JASON STRAIT
Associated Press Writer
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - With Purdue's lead down to two, Shereka Wright went back to what had worked for her all night.
Wright took the ball down low, was fouled on consecutive possessions and made three free throws as No. 7 Purdue scored nine straight points in an 80-69 victory over Illinois on Thursday night.
It was a move the 5-foot-10 Wright used over and over.
Wright was 12-of-16 from the line and tied a career high with 26 points for Purdue (19-3, 10-2 Big Ten).
"That's what I try to do on the road ... get inside to the paint and be aggressive and get to the line," Wright said.
Purdue led most of the way, shot 54 percent in the second half and appeared to have the game in hand when the Illini went on a late 12-4 to cut it to two.
Wright responded immediately for Purdue and scored the game's next three points. Illinois was held scoreless the rest of the way.
"I'm just very proud of the character of my team to find a way to win down the stretch," Purdue coach Kristy Curry said.
"You've got to give Illinois credit. The gave it everything the had and I thought we did too. It's just a matter of making plays down the stretch."
The was something Illinois was unable to do after cutting a 12-point lead to two on a driving basket by reserve Angelina Williams. Purdue made 6-of-8 free throws in the closing minutes to seal the win.
Wright said Illinois was overplaying outside shooter Kelly Komara, which left her room to get to the basket and the free throw line. The Boilermakers were 24-for-29 from the line for the game.
"Kelly's a great shooter for us and she's a dangerous shooter, so I think they kind of focused on her a little bit and left me open inside," Wright said.
Iveta Marcauskaite led Illinois (13-8, 6-5) with 20 points on 8-for-14 shooting, and added 12 rebounds. Cindy Dallas had 18 points and 12 rebounds, but was 4-for-13 from the field and Illinois shot 38 percent for the game.
However, neither player was able to keep Illinois in the game at the end. Both are sophomores, and Illinois coach Theresa Grentz said experience was what put Purdue on top when it counted most.
"That's a veteran team. That team has been to the Final Four," Grentz said. "My team, we're trying to explain that emotion. They haven't felt that."
Mary Jo Noon added 19 points for Purdue, and Kelly Komara 18, including a 3-pointer with 1:41 remaining that gave Purdue an eight-point lead.
Komara was 4-for-7 from 3-point range - all in the second half.
"The mentality is, if you want to win the ball game, you have to hit crucial shots like that. By the time you get to be a senior you want the ball in your hands at a crucial moment," Komara said. "You play the game for moments like that."