Jan. 3, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) - Mary Jo Noon scored 20 points and Laura Meadows added 18 Thursday night as Purdue opened defense of its Big Ten title with a 77-65 victory over Northwestern.
Shereka Wright had 17 points and Kelly Komara added 15 for the Boilermakers (11-2), who had 14 fast break points as they took a 36-27 halftime lead.
The last time the teams met, in January 2001, Purdue thrashed Northwestern 94-37.
Freshman Sarah Kwasinski had 18 points for the Wildcats (4-10), while classmate Melissa Culver added 14.
Purdue is off to its best start since the 1998-99 season, when it went 11-1. The Boilermakers ended that season 34-1 and won the NCAA championship.