Dec. 11, 2005
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) - Katie Gearlds scored 28 points, including six of nine 3-pointers, and Aya Traore added 23 points Sunday to help No. 24 Purdue beat Valparaiso 70-55.
Betsy Rietema paced Valparaiso (4-4) with 13 points and Carrie Myers added 12.
Gearlds made consecutive 3-pointers to cut Valparaiso's lead to 47-46. Purdue (6-2) took the lead for good on Erin Lawless's layup with 7:54 left.
Gearlds sparked another run later. She made a 3-pointer and another basket that gave the Boilermakers a 60-52 lead with 2:36 left.
Valparaiso led 34-26 at halftime and increased its lead to 41-28 before the Boilermakers went on a 9-0 run early in the second half.
The Boilermakers made five of nine 3-pointers in the second half in their first game since beating No. 10 Notre Dame 65-54 on Wednesday.