Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Purdue
Wildcats Fall to No. 24 Purdue, 68-65
1/30/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 30, 2005
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EVANSTON, Ill. -- Senior Suzanne Morrison (Franklin, Mich./Detroit Country Day) scored a game-high 18 points in her first significant time back after suffering a knee injury on Dec. 14, but a Wildcat 3-pointer fell short at the buzzer and No. 24 Purdue escaped Welsh-Ryan Arena Sunday afternoon with a 68-65 victory.
The game was tied at the half, 29-29, and the teams knotted the score six times in the second half. The Boilermakers claimed the largest lead of the contest for either team at seven points with 5:04 to play.
Northwestern freshman Melissa Miller (Bloomington, Minn./The Breck School) hit a nifty hook layup in the paint and senior Samantha McComb (Farmington Hills, Mich./North Farmington) hit a free-throw to cut the lead to 60-56 with 4:13 left.
The teams traded points until a pair of Sara Stutz (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South) free throws drew Northwestern to within two at 65-63 with 27 seconds left.
Purdue (12-8, 5-4 Big Ten) hit a pair of free throws but senior Melissa Culver (Littleton, Colo./Heritage) drove the length of the floor for a layup with 18 seconds left.
After a Wildcat foul, Purdue converted on 1-of-2 free throws before a last-second 3-pointer from Culver drew front iron and bounced away at the buzzer.
"We just lost to a fantastic ball club," NU Head Coach Beth Combs said. "I am proud of our club and what we have done. You cannot fault our heart or effort."
Senior Sarah Kwasinski (Chicago, Ill./Fenwick) joined Morrison in double-figures with 13 points while Stutz added 10.
Kwasinski also blocked five shots -- her best total of the season -- to pull within one of tying Anucha Brown's all-time Northwestern record of 174.
Morrison saw sparse minutes at Ohio State and against Penn State last week before playing 21 against the Boilers. She hit her first four shots en route to a 6-of-8 performance from the field. She was also 6-of-7 from the line.
Before her injury, Morrison led the Wildcats with 11.9 points per game.
"Suzanne's scoring was key," Combs said. "I am proud of what she did and am looking to get her more into the game."
Northwestern returns to action at 7 p.m. CT Thursday at Michigan State. Fox Sports Net Chicago will televise the game live.
