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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
WEST LAFAYETTE -- Despite its much-heralded freshman class,
Purdue coach Kristy Curry knows the play of her upperclassmen will
determine how successful the Boilermakers are this season.
Senior Camille Cooper scored 21 points to lead Purdue to an
84-60 victory over Eastern Michigan in the first round of the
Preseason NIT Saturday night.
Junior Kelly Komara scored 15 points, senior Katie Douglas added
12 and freshman Cherrise Graham 10 for Purdue, which shook off a
slow start with a dominant second-half performance in the
season-opener for both teams.
"I've said from Day 1, our upperclassman will take us as far as
we can go this year, whether it's leadership or it's their actions
on the court," Curry said. "I think that's why my starting lineup
is the way it is."
Kristy Maska had 18 points -- on a school-record six 3-pointers -- to lead Eastern Michigan.
Maska went 4-for-7 on 3-point attempts in the first half to keep
the Eagles down just 10, 41-31, at halftime.
"I definitely had a height advantage," the 6-foot-4 Cooper
said. "They did a good job. Sometimes they would double-down or
push me in the back. Sometimes I was able to free myself and get to
the open spot."
But the Boilermakers went on a 21-10 run to start the second
half and held the Eagles to just 11 points in the first 11 minutes
of the half.
Cooper, who scored 19 in the first half, hit an early 3-pointer
to give Purdue a 5-2 lead. The Boilermakers, who shot 53 percent
from the field, never relinquished the lead, but had a hard time
putting the Eagles away, and never led by more than 11.
Komara shot 5-for-5 from the floor, including 3-for-3 from
3-point range and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line.
"I think our offense really worked a lot to my advantage,"
Komara said.
Douglas, the Big Ten Player of the Year last year, said Komara's
two 3-pointers in the first half gave Purdue some needed momentum.
"Those were pretty big shots," Douglas said. "That's what
we're looking for Kelly to do this year."
Stephanie Smiley scored 15, and Kris Kackaturoff added 14 for
the Eagles.
Purdue plays host to Georgetown on Monday night in a
second-round Preseason NIT game. Katie Smrcka-Duffy scored 22
points to lead the Hoyas to a 75-70 victory over James Madison on
Saturday night.
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ALSO SEE
Womens College Basketball Scoreboard
Eastern Michigan Clubhouse
Purdue Clubhouse
Preseason WNIT bracket
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