Jan 4, 2004
By JON KRAWCZYNSKI
Associated Press Writer
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) – Shereka Wright had 21 points and nine rebounds to lead No. 7 Purdue to a 76-63 win over Notre Dame on Sunday.
Wright led four Boilermakers in double figures and Purdue (10-2) bounced back from their first regular-season home loss in 38 games.
No. 10 Penn State beat Purdue on Friday to snap the streak, which included 31 straight Big Ten wins. Purdue shot 21 percent in the loss, the second-worst percentage in school history.
The Boilermakers looked better against Notre Dame (7-5), especially in the second half. They shot 44 percent for the game and 50 percent in the second half.
Megan Duffy and Le’Tania Severe scored 15 points each for Notre Dame, which had its four-game winning streak stopped. Jacqueline Batteast added 13 points and nine rebounds.
Wright got off to a slow start, but she scored nine of her points during a 3:30 span of the second half to put away the Irish. She had two layups, two free throws and capped the run with a 3-pointer that gave Purdue a 60-40 lead with 6:37 to play.
Emily Heikes had 10 points and 10 rebounds, and Lindsey Hicks and Beth Jones also scored 10 points each for Purdue.
Notre Dame struggled to get open shots against a swarming Purdue defense. The Irish shot 36.7 percent from the field and committed 18 turnovers.
The Boilermakers shot 38 percent in the first half against Notre Dame and held the Irish to 26 percent to take a 32-20 lead.