Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Purdue
Wildcats Fall to No. 9 Purdue
1/15/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
By JON KRAWCZYNSKI
Associated Press Writer
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - Ninth-ranked Purdue's bench picked the perfect game to deliver its best performance of the season.
Erin Lawless led a potent second unit with a career-high 16 points and five assists, allowing the starters to rest in a 71-41 victory over Northwestern on Thursday night.
Purdue's reserves outscored their starters 45-26. The Boilermakers scored 28 points off 28 Northwestern turnovers and shot 10-for-20 from 3-point range to win their fourth in a row.
There was no letdown for the Boilermakers (13-2, 3-1 Big Ten) against the Wildcats (7-8, 0-4).
"I'm very pleased with our team's effort and intensity," Purdue coach Kristy Curry said. "The second group was absolutely outstanding."
Melissa Culver scored on a fast break 4 minutes into the game to pull the Wildcats within 6-4, but it was all downhill from there.
The Boilermakers ripped off a 19-0 run midway through the first half to take a 25-4 lead. Lawless, a freshman, fueled the run with eight points and Purdue held Northwestern scoreless for nearly 8 minutes to put the game away.
Purdue's fullcourt pressure gave the Wildcats fits. Northwestern turned the ball over 14 times in the first half in falling behind 43-12.
"They made wide open shots," Northwestern coach June Olkowski said. "And they were wide open. That wasn't the game plan, believe me."
Culver scored 13 points for the Wildcats, who lost their fourth straight.
Katie Gearlds added 11 points and seven steals for Purdue.
Purdue had 17 steals, often times refusing to allow Northwestern ball handlers to cross midcourt.
"They gave us pressure and we didn't handle it well," Olkowski said. "They have a great blend of talent."
Next up for the Wildcats is Indiana in Bloomington on Sunday. Game time is set for 2 p.m. EST.
