Jan. 7, 2007

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -For a program that counts itself among the nation's elite in women's basketball, Texas' first two matchups this season against Top 10 opponents were complete flops.

That's what made a 64-61 victory over No. 10 Purdue on Sunday that much sweeter for the Longhorns. The first win over a ranked opponent this season could be just the thing the Longhorns need to challenge for the Big 12 title.

"Our team needed this," Texas coach Jody Conradt said. "They needed it to believe in what we've been working toward. I wanted them to be rewarded."

Tiffany Jackson scored 20 points and Texas hit four free throws in the final 22 seconds to snap Purdue's seven-game winning streak in the final non-conference game for both teams.

Two previous games against No. 3 Duke and No. 4 Tennessee ended in embarrassing losses by an average of 24 points and the Longhorns opened Big 12 play last week by letting Nebraska rally to win on their home court.

Texas (11-4) had lost eight in a row to Top 10 opponents since knocking off Baylor at home in 2004-05.

"I think this is huge," said Jackson, who was reduced to tears after the Tennessee loss on Dec. 17. "To see where we are nationally and get that win is a big boost for our confidence."

Jackson and Earnesia Williams hit four free throws to secure the win after Purdue's FahKara Malone hit consecutive layups that pulled the Boilermakers within one.

Williams' two free throws with 13 seconds left scored the final points, and Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton's last 3-point attempt for Purdue bounced off the front of the rim.

Wisdom-Hylton led Purdue (14-3) with 16 points. The Boilermakers were 1-of-10 on 3-pointers and committed 20 turnovers, including eight by Malone.

Carla Cortijo added 14 points and eight rebounds for the Longhorns, who also got tremendous defense from Erneisha Bailey. She held Purdue's leading scorer, Katie Gearlds, to 12 points on 5-of-16 shooting. Purdue's career leader in 3-pointers was 0-4 against Texas.

Cortijo's energy in the second half created problems for the Boilermakers on both ends. After hitting a short jumper, she stole the ball from Gearlds and finished a 3-point play that put Texas up 48-41.

Texas led 54-46 before Wisdom-Hylton scored six straight points to start the Boilermakers' rally. Purdue never led in the second half.

"We felt like if we cold grab the lead, we could hang on to it. It was there for our taking," Gearlds said. "(But) they hit their free throws and layups."

Texas was 13-of-15 from the line, while Purdue was 6-of-12.

Texas' big concern going into the heart of the Big 12 season will be the status of sophomore shooting guard Erica Arriaran.

She hit three 3-pointers and finished with 11 points, but had to be helped off the court after twisting her knee with 31 seconds left trying to stop one of Malone's layups.