Purdue 69, Michigan St. 59

2/24/2008 2:27 PM

By STEVE HERMAN
AP Sports Writer

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) -FahKara Malone and Lakisha Freeman scored 16 points apiece Sunday, leading Purdue to a 69-59 victory over cold-shooting Michigan State.

The Boilermakers (15-13, 11-6 Big Ten) raced to a 15-point lead midway through the first half, held off a brief comeback early in the second period and stayed in front the rest of the way to snap a four-game winning streak by the Spartans (17-12, 9-8).

Michigan State managed only one field goal in its first 15 attempts over the first 10 minutes of the rematch. Then, after cutting Purdue's lead to five points early in the second half, the Spartans went another eight minutes in 10 attempts without a field goal.

Purdue took its biggest lead at 66-47 and Michigan State never came closer than 10 after that.

Kalika France added 14 points for Purdue. Kalisha Keane led Michigan State with 18 points and Allyssa DeHaan added 15.

Both teams finish the regular season against Illinois, with Michigan State hosting the Illini on Thursday and Purdue visiting them next Sunday. The Big Ten tournament starts March 6 at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Three early baskets by Freeman, four straight free throws by Danielle Campbell and a 3-point basket by Natasha Bogdanova helped Purdue to an 18-4 lead. Then, after a basket by Keane, just the second in Michigan State's first 15 attempts, a fast-break layup and free throw by Malone gave the Boilermakers their biggest lead of the first half at 21-6.

The Spartans' shooting started to improve, and a 10-2 run cut Purdue's lead to 23-16 before a 3-pointer by Malone and a basket and free throw by Keshia Mosley.

Purdue took a 33-25 lead at halftime. A 3-pointer by Mia Johnson helped bring Michigan State within five early in the second half before Purdue pulled away for good. The Spartans finished with 35 percent shooting.