Freshman Andreona Keys hit a pair of threes and was 6-6 from the free throw line on Friday.
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Purdue women's basketball team opened the 2014-15 season with a victory on Friday night, edging intrastate rival Ball State at the Cardinals' John R. Worthen Arena, 66-60. Sophomore Ashley Morrissette poured in a career-high 16 points to lead the way, while senior Whitney Bays had 14 points and nine rebounds as the Boilermakers won their 13th straight season opener and ninth straight under head coach Sharon Versyp.
After leading 30-23 at the break, Ball State opened the second half on a 16-4 run to take a five-point lead, 39-34, with 12 minutes left in the game. Sophomore Bridget Perry sparked a Boilermaker comeback over the next four minutes, scoring seven of her 10 points in a 13-3 run to regain the lead, 47-42. Purdue clung to the lead the rest of the way, holding off the host Cardinals in front of the third-largest Ball State crowd in school history.
Freshman Andreona Keys had 12 points, four rebounds and a pair of steals in her collegiate debut, while Perry finished with 10 points and five rebounds. Senior Liza Clemons was just shy of a double-double with eight points and seven rebounds. Six different Boilermakers had a pair of assists as they helped on 13 of 17 field goals for the game.
Nathalie Fontaine paced the Cardinals with a game-high 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Shelbie Justice had 13 bounds and eight boards.
Purdue opens its home schedule on Wednesday, hosting Green Bay at 5:30 p.m. in Mackey Arena.