Newcomers lead Boilers to win

By Paul Trembacki
Sports Editor

Laura Meadows was nervous, Emily Heikes was so anxious her legs were shaking and Mandy Davis took a while to get accustomed to playing.

But the three touted newcomers got through their first game in Mackey Arena with no problems as the Purdue women's basketball team opened its exhibition season with a 96-66 win over RTU Klondaika, an all-star team from Latvia.

Meadows, a senior who sat out last season after transferring from Kentucky, had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds while fellow starter Shereka Wright had a double-double (15 points, 10 boards).

"From here on out I refuse to be nervous," Meadows said. "It was really good to get in a game situation and put a uniform on for something other than pictures."

Meadows, Wright and Mary Jo Noon helped Purdue to a 22-10 lead to start the game, and the 2001 national runners-up led by double digits for the final 30:25 of the game. That allowed coach Kristy Curry to play players such as Davis, a junior college transfer, and Heikes, a freshman from Palos Hills, Ill.,

"Once I got on the floor and I was looking in everybody's eyes, I knew that it was going to be all right," said Heikes, who came off the bench to score 14 points and grab eight rebounds.

Heikes played the role of backup center behind Noon, who led Purdue with 26 points and made 5 of 8 field goals while Davis had two points and two rebounds in 14 minutes of play.

"I didn't even know how many points I scored until Laura Meadows came up to me after the game and was like, 'Wow, 14 points,'" Heikes said. "It was just such an experience for me and it was so much fun that I didn't even realize it."

NOTES: Sophomore Erika Valek, who blew out her knee in the Sweet 16 last year, did not play; a statement regarding her medical status will be released this week. … Crystal Vander Plaats, who joined the team after walk-on tryouts, played the final two minutes Sunday. … Officials found a white powdery substance in Section 12 of Mackey Arena, but tests for biological hazards came back negative. The substance was believed to be sugar. However, ushers will closely examine the arena before games from now on.

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Boilers win final game

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Sports editor:
Paul Trembacki

Assistant sports editor:
Doug Healey

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