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w o m e n ' s b a s k e t b a l l u p d a t e quick starT Of first eight wins, five have been away from Mackey BY KYLE CHARTERS KCharters@GoldandBlack.com T hrough the first 10 games of the season in mid-December, the Boilermakers were feeling good about where they stood with only two non-conference games left. That's especially true considering 18th-ranked Purdue (8-2) had won four true road games and another on a neutral court, wins that had helped bolster the Boilers to a top-10 RPI nationally in the early going. Even Purdue's two losses, vs. then-No. 6 Stanford in Mexico and at thensecond-ranked Duke, had a glimmer of positive, with the Boilermakers competing for nearly the first 30 minutes of each before seeing them finally break away. With only two games remaining in the non-conference — contests vs. Bowling Green and Central Michigan came to Mackey Arena, after Purdue had played only once there in a month's span — the Boilermakers think they have the good chance to compete at the top of the Big Ten. "Statistically, we've improved in a lot of different areas," Coach Sharon Versyp said. "The biggest thing was offense, free throws, assist-to-turnover ratio and rebounding, and we've been very consistent in those areas. Those are the Tom Campbell areas that you have to be consistent to win games." Whitney Bays has been a spark inside, averaging double-figBelow, we look at some of the storylines of the season ure scoring off the bench. to date. have three seniors, we're exceptionally young. So I feel really, really good at being able to go on the road, with not Road Warriors Although Purdue's road wins don't include any ranked a lot of fans, and having everybody root against you, and how we've been able to focus and be intense and bring teams, there is little doubt they qualify as quality. Toledo and Green Bay will likely be at least mid-major energy all those games. We've really been able to win a bubble teams, if not automatic NCAA entry via confer- majority of those." Purdue's been able to eek out the wins, too, making ence wins, in the Mid-American Conference and Horizon the plays in the final minutes to earn a pleasant plane League, respectively. And beating BCS opponents TCU and Kansas, teams ride home. The Boilermakers are 5-0 in games decided by from the Big 12 that will play other quality teams, away seven points or less, including the road wins over Toledo, Kansas and Green Bay. from Mackey Arena will be résumé boosters for sure. Purdue's veteran trio of senior guards KK Houser, Purdue's fourth road victory came against IUPUI. "I feel really solid," Versyp said of the Boilermakers' Courtney Moses and Dee Dee Williams likely deserve a lot road success, "probably the best I've ever felt, besides my of credit. "When you have solid guard play, good things happen," first year here. I think going on the road, even though we 72 IllustrateD volume 24, issue 3 f