Strong effort helps team

By Kyle Charters
Senior Writer

Purdue coach Kristy Curry has been pleased lately with the play of two of her freshman forwards, especially considering their effort on the offensive glass.

"I think, first of all, athletically, you've got two young ladies that have really added a lot for us here in Shereka Wright and Shalicia Hurns," said Curry. "If you were just sitting there as a fan (against Illinois Sunday) watching Shereka Wright, it was an incredible sight. The kid was just unbelievable on the offensive glass."

In No. 6 Purdue's win over Illinois, Wright finished with eight rebounds, including seven on the offensive end. For the season, 45 of Wright's 92 rebounds (48.9 percent) have come at the offensive end.

Because of the efforts of Wright, who is averaging 4.6 rebounds per game, and Hurns, who is averaging 6.3 rebounds per game, the Boilers are first in the Big Ten in rebounding margin. Purdue is averaging 6.7 more boards per game than its opponents.

The Boilers (17-3, 7-0 Big Ten) hope that trend continues when they play the Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-9, 1-5) at 8 tonight in Minneapolis.

Wright, a 5-foot-10 forward, said offensive rebounding is something that is often overlooked.

"But that's how we get most of our points — from offensive rebounds," said Wright. "Even if we have to rush a shot we do go hard to the boards and try to get that possession back."

Hurns and Wright agreed that the Boilers' work on the offensive glass is partly a result of their increased depth.

"I don’t think we really had that in the past — where we could really get out and run and rebound and be more aggressive," said the 6-3 Hurns. "With the number of people we have playing I think we're able to be more aggressive. Last year they really didn't have a bench. This year, with the bench, we're really more aggressive."

With that added depth, Hurns said this Purdue team is probably more athletic than it has been in recent years.

"We kind of go flying in there and take them a little bit by surprise, getting the offensive rebound," said Hurns. "Wright and I are working so hard and everybody else is."

Because of that hard work, the Boilers have outrebounded their opponents in 15 of their 20 games this season. They should be able to improve that record against the Gophers tonight, considering that Minnesota is without its leading rebounder and second-leading scorer.

Freshman forward Tanisha Gilbert, who was averaging 14.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game through 14 contests, was declared academically ineligible for the spring semester.

Still, Curry doesn't want the Boilers to overlook the Gophers.

"I think we're starting to understand that if we win the battle of the boards and defend, then we're going to have a chance to win a whole bunch of basketball games," she said.

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