Nov. 15, 2009
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.- Sophomore guard Brittany Rayburn scored a career-high 23 points, while senior Jodi Howell scored 15 and freshman KK Houser finished with 13 points to help lead No. 23 Purdue (1-0) to a 70-37 victory in the Boilermakers' home opener.
The victory extends Purdue's school record streak to eight consecutive season opening wins. The victory also gives head coach Sharon Verysp a 4-0 record in season openers at her alma mater.
Rayburn was 9 of 19 from the field and 3 of 4 from the line, while also recording four rebounds, two assists, two blocked shots and four steals in a game-high 34 minutes. Howell finished the game with 15 points, hitting 6 of 10 from the field, including 3 of 6 from beyond the arc and Houser chipped in 13 points on 5 of 8 shooting.
Freshman Sam Ostarello led all players with 12 rebounds while sophomore Chelsea Jones set a career high by pulling down nine boards. Senior guard FahKara Malone dished out a team-best six assists.
The Boilermakers defense rose to the challenge, holding Western Illinois to the lowest point total by an opponent since the 2006-07 season. Purdue forced 28 turnovers and blocked four shots, while holding the Leathernecks to 37 percent shooting from the field. Rayburn had two blocks for the Boilers, while Jones and Ostarello had one apiece. Malone led the team with five steals.
Western Illinois pulled within nine at 14:58 in the second half on a basket by Michele Salvatori. The Boilermakers went on a 13-0 streak that started on a three-pointer by Houser and ended on a three-pointer by Rayburn. The Leathernecks never got within 20 points for the remainder of the game.
Purdue returns to action on Friday, Nov. 20, when the Boilers play host to Seattle University in the BTI Classic. The game is scheduled for a 5 p.m. ET tipoff, and Dayton will take on Georgetown 30 minutes following the Purdue-Seattle game.