UPDATE (Friday 8:25 p.m.): Boilers 'build some confidence' in win

By Jason Kamery

Staff Reporter

Publication Date: 11/20/2009

AP Photo

Purdue's E'twuan Moore scores past an attempted block by South Dakota State's Clint Sargent, during a game in the Paradise Jam basketball tournament, in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Friday, Nov. 20, 2009. Moore was the top scorer of the game, with 22 points which helped Purdue win 74-63

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After the first basket of the game by the Boilermakers women's basketball team, it never lost the lead.

The Boilermakers defeated Seattle University, 69-38, in Mackey Arena for their first game of the BTI Classic. Head coach Sharon Versyp knew the team started off slow but was pleased in the way the team played.

"It's great to get out and get a win tonight and to be able to build some confidence for our group." Versyp said. "It kind of felt like we were in the mud a little bit. It was very difficult to rotate players in."

The Boilermakers had only eight players play for them including freshman forward Sam Ostarello, who is battling flu-like symptoms.

With 8:25 left in the first half, the Boilers held just a 17-16 lead over the Redhawks. Then, sophomore Brittany Rayburn caught fire. She led a 21-4 Boilermaker run to end the half with 11 points, including three 3-point baskets.

Rayburn led the team with 26 points. Rayburn also had seven rebounds and three steals. She improved her career-high point total for the second time in as many games. In the first game, a 74-39 win over Western Illinois, she netted 23.

"We were in the mud and we knew we had to get out of it as fast as possible." Rayburn said. "Our group of senior leaders said we had to do something to get out of it. We had to pick up the defense. I feel that the whole team is coming together."

Purdue's second highest scorer was sophomore center Chelsea Jones who had 12 points. Jones also had seven rebounds, two blocks, and one steal. Carley Butcher and Tatiana Heck led the Redhawks, who had nine scorers in the game, with eight points each.

The Boilers play the Flyers of Dayton at 5 p.m. Saturday in Mackey Arena.