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overs, including 10 from guard Tyra Smith. It prevented the guests from getting into their offense; USC Up- state attempted only 45 shots, 23 less than the Boilermakers. Key Stat The Spartans had 24 turn- native starting lineup, with Camille Redmon and Dee Dee Williams in for Sam Ostarello and Chantel Poston. It didn't work. For the second straight game, S Purdue went with an alter- TAKEAWAYS the exhibition included, the Boiler- makers were dysfunctional at the start. They trailed Lindsey Wilson College in the exhibition by eight before scoring, then were held scoreless for the first four-plus minutes by the Spartans. Versyp needs to find the right combination at the start before it becomes an alarming trend. S Houser is going to be pushed by April Wilson, and so far the veteran has been up to the challenge. Houser has vowed to cut down her turnovers, and Game 1 was a success. Granted, the Spartans aren't a top program, so the defensive intensity will in- crease, but it's still a positive sign that Houser can keep her game under control. player class on Wednesday, but one that's highly regarded. The '13 signees of Bridget Versyp signed a small two- VERSYP INKS TWO Perry, a 6-foot-2 guard/wing from Indianapolis, and Ashley Morris- sette, a 5-9 combo guard from Twinsburg, Ohio, is ranked No. 23 in the country by Collegiate Girls Basketball Report. The two played at Elite Camp third, power forward Emmonnie Henderson, but she chose to go to Louisville. Purdue's need for a Purdue had sought out a Ashley Morrissette over the summer together, with Morrissette joining Perry as a ver- bal commitment shortly after- ward. "They're very close, said. "When they're on the court together, both see the floor very well. They share the basketball very well. But the biggest thing is the character of these two young people, the excitement and how proud and excited they are to be signing. And we're just as proud. Perry is a two-time first team " Versyp " all-state selection who is ranked No. 70 overall in her class by Col- legiate Girls Basketball Report and No. 143 by All Star Girls Report and Blue Star. She averaged 19.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.9 steals per game as a junior at Roncalli. Versyp likes her versatility. "She can play the 2 or 3," Ver- syp said. "She can play the 2, at al- Bridgett Perry most 6-2 now, and be like a Katie Gearlds. She also likes to post up, too, so you could have a mismatch at the 2 spot, or use her at the 3 and use her size because she can go off the bounce, get to the rim really well. She just continues to grow her game, and she's growing physically still. "She has so much poise and court savvy and doesn't get rattled at all. She has a great 3 ball; I've seen her in AAU ball shoot 7-of-9 (from three-point range). It doesn't mat- ter if she has the ball in her hand or coming off screens. Morrissette is the No. 23 guard in her class by ESPN.com, after averaging 15 points, four assists, four rebounds and three steals per game as a junior. She's helped her Twinsburg High School team to back-to-back Division I Ohio state championships. "She's has uncanny ability, a 1-2 guard combo," Versyp said. " " post player as part of the 2013 class was lessened by the arrival of transfer Whit- ney Bays from Maryland in the summer. Bays is sitting out now as a transfer, and while rehabbing an ACL injury, but will be active in 2013-14. "She's kind of like the fill for the post player po- sition, because Sam (Os- tarello) and Drey (Mingo) graduate, " Versyp said. THORNTON ON SHELF Torrie Thornton has been sidelined to start the sea- son, and her return might not be soon. Thornton, who has a Sophomore forward redshirt season available, is rehabbing from two offsea- son knee surgeries, to help with patella tendonitis. "We're just taking our "If it time," Versyp said. it doesn't, then figure out what we need to do. " j works out that she can get back and give us minutes and play, then great. But if AP Top 25 (Nov. 12) 1. Baylor (39) 2. Connecticut 3. Duke 4. Stanford 5. Maryland 6. Kentucky 7. Notre Dame 8. Louisville 9. Penn State 10. Georgia 11. Oklahoma 12. California 13. Vanderbilt 14. West Virginia 15. Nebraska 16. Texas A&M 17. Delaware 18. PURDUE 19. Texas 20. St. John's 20. Ohio State 22. Oklahoma State 23. Miami (Fla.) 24. Tennessee 25. Georgetown Other receiving votes: Kansas, Middle Tennessee, Iowa State, Georgia Tech, UCLA, Green Bay, DePaul, Virginia, North Carolina, San Diego State, Florida State, Chattanooga, Rutgers, Dayton, LSU, Michigan State, Princeton, Gonzaga, South Carolina NATIONAL RANKINGS USA Today Coaches Poll (Nov. 12) 1. Baylor (31) 2. Connecticut 3. Duke 4. Stanford 5. Maryland 6. Notre Dame 7. Kentucky 8. Louisville 9. Penn State 10. Georgia 11. Oklahoma 12. California 13. Texas A&M 14. PURDUE 15. Nebraska 16. Vanderbilt 17. Delaware 18. St. John's 19. West Virginia 20. Tennessee 21. Ohio State 22. Oklahoma State 23. Miama (Fla.) 24. Texas 25. Kansas Other receiving votes: Georgetown, Georgia Tech, Middle Tennessee State, South Carolina, Iowa State, Gonzaga, Green Bay, DePaul, Syracuse, Rutgers, Virginia, Marist, Iowa, BYU, Dayton, LSU, UCLA, Arkansas, Chattanooga GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 23, EXPRESS 11 • 41