March 17, 2010
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// Box Score 
// Game Notes // Purdue Coach and Player Audio
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue (15-16, 9-9) ended a four-game losing streak by defeating Eastern Michigan 56-50 to advance to the second round of the Postseason WNIT. The Boilermakers will play host to Illinois State on Sunday, March 21, at 12 p.m. ET in Mackey Arena.
Brittany Rayburn came off the bench for just the third time this season and scored 17 second-half points to secure a win for the Boilermakers. Rayburn totaled 20 points, hitting 5 of 7 from the field and 9 of 10 from the free throw line. The Attica, Ind., native tallied two assists to just one turnover in 29 minutes of play.
Eastern Michigan got out to a quick start, mostly on the play of sophomore Tavelyn James. James scored nine of her team's first 12 points, all on three-pointers and tallied 17 of Eastern Michigan's 23 points in the first half. She went on to score a game-high 28 points, the most by a Boilermaker opponent this season.
Purdue trailed 23-14 in the first half, but went on a 13-0 run that spanned 10:28 starting at the 6:19 mark in the first half through the first 4:09 of the second to give the Boilermakers a 27-23 lead with 15:51 remaining.
The Eagles would not go away easily, making a run of their own to take a 33-31 lead with 12:20 to go. Purdue fought back thanks to a couple key stops and some big offensive rebounds by freshman Ashley Wilson.
Rayburn put the Boilermakers on top for good with a jumper with 5:34 remaining, for a 41-40 lead. Eastern Michigan could not overcome the poor shooting that plagued them in the game and Rayburn sealed things on a jumper with 52 seconds to play to give Purdue a 52-47 edge. The Boilermakers won by the final score of 56-50.
The Boilermakers improved to 15-16 overall and will advance to play host to Illinois State in the second round of the Postseason WNIT. The game will take place in Mackey Arena at 12 p.m. on Sunday, March 21. The game time has been set to avoid a possible conflict with a potential second-round NCAA Tournament game for the Purdue men's basketball team.
Fans can purchase tickets online and print them at home, call 800-49-SPORT or stop by the Purdue Ticket office in the IAF from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Seating is general admission, everyone, regardless of age, must have a ticket for admission. Ticket prices are $13 for adults and $6 for students.