Feb. 17, 2002
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) - Purdue forward Shereka Wright has won over her coach.
Wright scored 40 points Sunday - a Purdue all-time record for points scored in a game - to lead the No. 7-ranked Boilermakers past Michigan 84-73.
"Every basket she got today was earned," Purdue coach Kristy Curry said. "When she gets that look, it's pretty special. She'll get my vote now for Big Ten Player of the Year."
The previous scoring record belonged to MaChelle Joseph, who scored 37 at Michigan State on Feb. 15, 1991, and Jannon Roland, who matched the mark at Ohio State on Jan. 23, 1997.
Curry praised Wright for, among other things, being the only one who didn't play scared in what was a surprising first half for both teams.
Purdue (21-4, 12-3 Big Ten) gained a 15-11 lead in the first seven minutes on the strength of six points from Wright, but then Michigan fought back. Over the next three minutes, the Wolverines (15-10, 5-9) went on a 12-2 run, eventually leading 42-38 at halftime.
"I told my team that I was embarrassed," Curry said. "That got to the heart a little bit. To come out and give up 42 points at the half is disgusting."
Curry most roundly criticized senior Kelly Komara during the break. The guard responded with five steals in the second half for a game-high total of six.
In the second half, Purdue bolted out came on a 24-12 run, capped by two free throws from Komara to give the Boilermakers a 62-54 lead with 10 minutes left.
After turning the ball over seven times in a four-minute span, the Wolverines could not recapture their first half momentum.
"We could have played with this team," Michigan coach Sue Guevara said. "We need to do a better job of taking care of the ball."
Wright scored 16 of the Boilermakers' last 22 points.
Komara finished with 11 points. Emily Heikes added 10 while leading the Boilermakers with eight rebounds.
Alayne Ingram scored 24 points for Michigan, and sophomore forward Stephanie Gandy added 15. LeeAnn Bies added 14 points for the Wolverines, who had 20 turnovers to Purdue's 14.
Boilermakers have won 10 of their last 11 games.