Michigan State Michigan St/Purdue Purdue Women's College Basketball recap on ESPN

It is the second straight game Purdue (16-3, 6-0 Big Ten) has held the opposition to under 40 points and the sixth straight game it's held them to under 60.

"That's huge for us. We really take pride in every defensive possession. Defense wins games. That's what you're seeing now. When the offense isn't going, at least your defense can go every night," said Katie Douglas, who led Purdue with 15 points.

The Boilermakers, who haven't lost to the Spartans at home since 1988, led by only four midway through the second half, but they put the game away in the final eight minutes. The 57 points was their lowest total of the season.

Purdue went on a 6-0 run early in the second half and built a 28-17 lead. The Spartans cut it to 28-22 before Shereka Wright's 3-pointer at the 12:35 mark pushed Purdue's (16-3, 6-0 Big Ten) lead to nine.

Erin Skelly scored two straight baskets to close within five. Wright made a free throw on the next possession, but Abby Salscheider's basket made it 32-28.

That was as close as the Spartans (8-9, 2-4) would get as Purdue went on a 7-0 run. Douglas' free throw pushed the lead to 40-30.

"Offensively we were very poor. We don't have a lot of go-to players," said Spartans coach Joanne McCallie.

Kelly Komara stole the ball at halfcourt and scored a layup, then followed on the next possession with a 3-pointer at the 6:05 mark for a 45-30 lead. Purdue's 13-0 run ended on Christie Pung's basket with 2:23 left.

Komara's steal was just one example of players willing to bear down on defense, said coach Kristy Curry.

"I really have the faith and confidence in her. I need her in that situation, and she knows that. She just always makes a play, especially on the defensive end," Curry said.

The Spartans held the Boilermakers to 42 percent shooting by using a 1-2-2 and 3-2 zone defenses that collapsed on the players in the paint and limited penetration. That made it hard for center Camille Cooper, who scored 11 points, to get easy baskets. She said that made it even more important to play a strong defensive game.

"Defense is a lot of effort and energy. When you see Kelly hustle and get the steal, it does a lot for our momentum and intensity," she said.

Douglas entered the game averaging 13.7 points. That's down from the 20.4 a game she had last year. Curry said Douglas has been a factor in other areas of the game.

"Everyone is talking how her point production may be down, but what they don't understand is she has so much more of a complete game. She's doing more of the little things more," Curry said.

Purdue led 22-15 at the half.

Shalicia Hurns had 10 points and eight rebounds for Purdue. Julie Pagel led Michigan State with 10 points.

The Spartans made only six field goals in the first half and finished with five assists overall.

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Women's College Basketball Scoreboard

Michigan State Clubhouse

Purdue Clubhouse