March 8, 2004

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By MICHAEL MAROT
AP Sports Writer

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Coach Kristy Curry didn't have to tell her Purdue players how to beat Penn State on Monday night.

After losing twice to the Nittany Lions this year, the Boilermakers already knew the answer: Stay patient and keep playing hard - even through the tough times.

The strategy worked perfectly.

Shereka Wright overcame a miserable shooting night by hitting two free throws with 4.8 seconds left and then blocking Tanisha Wright's potential winning basket at the buzzer to give No. 6 Purdue a 59-58 victory over No. 4 Penn State and their second straight Big Ten tournament title.

"Those two losses have eaten at us," Curry said. "We finally found a way."

Purdue (27-3) celebrated by mobbing Wright, who finished with 15 points, near the 3-point line.

The Boilermakers ended a three-game losing streak to Penn State and clinched their 11th straight NCAA bid by avenging a 69-60 loss at State College, Pa., last week. That loss cost them a share of the regular-season conference title and gave the outright title to the Penn State.

The victory also gave Purdue its record fifth league tournament crown, and Wright was named the tournament's most outstanding player after grabbing nine rebounds and blocking just one shot - the most important one of the night.

"I just tried to keep Tanisha in front of me, not allow her to get to the basket," Shereka Wright said. "When she pulled up, I knew I had to contest it."

Playing in front of a record tournament crowd of 9,417, Purdue came out tight and struggled badly on offense. Midway through the second half, the Boilermakers were just 9-of-35 from the field and Wright missed her first eight shots.

Shereka Wright hugs coarch Kristy Curry after Purdue defeated Penn State, 59-58, in the championship game of the Women's Big Ten Tournament.

Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions (25-5) seemed to be doing everything right.

Kelly Mazzante, who moved into 10th place on the NCAA's all-time scoring list, took care of the offense by scoring 22 points. Teammate Jess Strom had 13 points and made big plays when Penn State needed them, and the Nittany Lions' in-your-face defense completely ruined the Boilermakers' game plan.

Frustrated, the Boilermakers made too many mistakes but remained patient. Penn State did not.

"The things that were our goals, we didn't stick to," Penn State coach Rene Portland said.

But until Purdue's two fearless freshmen - Katie Gearlds and Erin Lawless - sparked the offense, the Boilermakers couldn't take advantage.

Gearlds' three-point play with 8:29 left got Purdue within 41-40 and seemed to ignite the Boilermakers.

Beth Jones stole a Penn State pass on the next possession, leading to Lawless' 3-pointer from the left corner, and Gearlds, who finished with 14 points, followed that with another 3 to make it 46-41 with 7:04 left.

"Those two free throws were clutch. You live for that moment. There was no pressure on me," - Shereka Wright

"It was a defensive breakdown," Portland said. "But it was some shots you'd take a chance with."

The Nittany Lions scrambled, regaining the lead on Strom's lay-up with 49 seconds left and again at 58-57 when Strom hit two free throws with 22.6 seconds to go.

As Purdue played for the final shot, Penn State drew a reach-in foul with 4.8 seconds remaining sending Wright, who battled all year with Mazzante for player of the year honors, to the free throw line.

She hit both to give Purdue the lead.

Penn State had one more chance, a 5-footer from Tanisha Wright at the buzzer, but Shereka Wright stepped in front of her and swatted it away - giving Purdue the Big Ten's automatic bid into the NCAA tournament.

"Those two free throws were clutch. You live for that moment. There was no pressure on me," she said. "I've been there what 1,000 times? 2,000 times? I was focusing on the win."

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