Then-No. 12 Purdue came to Welsh-Ryan Arena on Jan. 26 without the services of injured All-American candidate Shereka Wright and still managed to easily dispose of the Northwestern women’s basketball team 76-60.
So now that Wright and her 19 points per game are back in the line-up for the sequel in West Lafayette, Ind., today, one couldn’t blame the Cats (6-15, 1-9 Big Ten) for being a little worried about squaring off against the No. 10 Boilermakers (18-3, 8-2).
But worried is the last thing the Cats are feeling about Wright’s return.
“None of us are worried too much about her,” sophomore guard Kristin Ambrose said. “We don’t have to change anything about our game plan, because we expected her to play in the last game also.”
Wright’s absence allowed another Boilermaker to seize the spotlight. Junior point guard Erika Valek tied a career-high with 26 points and a game-high six assists.
This time the Cats will keep an extra eye out for the small — she’s 5-foot-7 — but quick guard.
“We know more of what to expect from (Valek) this time around,” Ambrose said. “We have to watch for her, but we also know that everyone (on Purdue) can score so we can’t really focus on any one person.”
Ambrose will be especially motivated to follow up on a strong outing Sunday in Minneapolis, where she scored nine points in a 67-56 defeat to No. 15 Minnesota.
The 6-foot transfer from Virginia has had her share of troubles so far this season, but is looking to fulfill some of the high expectations that came with her arrival.
“(NU coach June Olkowski) has pulled me aside and told me that she needs me to start scoring,” Ambrose said. “I was a bit more aggressive (against Minnesota) and I’m going to try and bring that every night.”
Olkowski’s confidence in Ambrose is still strong, despite her early troubles.
“She has the green light to shoot any time she wants,” Olkowski said.
As a team, NU is looking to improve upon an impressive showing against Minnesota in which they were able to stay close to the Golden Gophers on the scoreboard until the final minutes.
Olkowski is hopeful the positives the team takes from the Minnesota game will outweigh the negatives from the first game against Purdue.
“It’s tough playing these ranked teams on the road, but that’s just how (the Big Ten) is — we all beat up on each other all the time,” Olkowski said. “We need to bring that positive energy (from Minnesota) into this game.”
NU (6-15, 1-9 Big Ten) at No. 10 Purdue (18-3, 8-2)
3 p.m. today
Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, Ind.
Player to Watch: Purdue point guard Erika Valek. The junior has scored at least 20 points in three of her past four games.