As coach of the only undefeated women’s basketball team in the country, Minnesota’s Pam Borton could sense the expectations weighing on her players.
Borton and her team no longer have to worry about that burden.
Shereka Wright had 24 points and 10 rebounds, helping No. 9 Purdue (14-2, 4-1) to a 65-56 Big Ten victory over previously unbeaten No. 6 Minnesota (15-1, 4-1) Sunday at West Lafayette, Ind.
“That was the whole game–second shots, loose balls, hustle plays,” Borton said. “They were the most aggressive team and the most physical team out there.”
Gophers guard Lindsay Whalen was the focus of much of that aggressiveness.
The Boilermakers frustrated the nation’s second-leading scorer, who was averaging 23 points, for most of the game. A late surge helped her finish with 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting.
Record for Mazzante
Kelly Mazzante scored 11 of her 24 points from the free-throw line to break the Big Ten women’s basketball scoring record and lead No. 8 Penn State to a 79-64 victory over visiting Illinois.
Mazzante converted two free throws in the first half to pass the previous mark of 2,578 points, set by Ohio State’s Katie Smith in 1996. Mazzante raised her career scoring total to 2,594 points.
“Sometimes when I’m shooting poorly, I like to get to the foul line, get a couple free throws and get my confidence back,” Mazzante said.
“There’s been games where I haven’t gotten there, or only twice. I tried to adjust a little bit. I had some wide-open threes in the second half, but I tried to attack the basket.”
RESULTS, SUNDAY’S SYNOPSIS
#1 Duke 63 at Virginia 52
Alana Beard’s 8 straight points in late 12-4 run led Blue Devils (14-1, 5-0) to 48th ACC win in row.
Alabama 51 at #5 Tennessee 72
Shyra Ely scored 18 points and Ashley Robinson added 12 for Lady Vols (14-1, 4-0 SEC).
#17 DePaul 84 at S. Florida 74
Jenni Dant scored 19 points and Khara Smith 18 as Blue Demons (16-1, 4-0 C-USA) won 8th straight.
Houston 61 at #18 TCU 59
Chandi Jones’ jumper with :29 left led Cougars (14-2, 3-0 C-USAS) past Frogs (13-3, 2-1).
Michigan 33 at #25 Mich. St. 67
Liz Shimek scored 14 points and Spartans held Wolverines without basket in first 13:25 of 2nd half.
Marquette 63 at UAB 65
Natasha Thomas had 29 points as Blazers (7-10, 1-3 C-USA) beat Golden Eagles (13-4, 3-1) in OT.
S. Illinois 56 at Illinois St. 86
Katie Donovan scored 24 points as Redbirds (10-5, 5-2 MVC) rolled past Salukis (2-12, 1-4).
Northwestern 55 at Indiana 58
Cyndi Valentin had 7 of career-high 24 points in OT as Hoosiers rallied past Wildcats.
Wisconsin 46 at Iowa 66
Jennie Lillis had 21 points and Hawkeyes held Badgers scoreless for game’s first 8 1/2 minutes.
