HAMMOND, Ind. – The Purdue University Calumet women’s basketball team started off their 2009-10 season in style, leading from start to finish in its 78-62 victory over Michigan Dearborn. The Peregrines have now won three of their last four games dating back to last season, while reaching the 70-point plateau for the 20th time in their last 21 contests.

Purdue Calumet raced out to an early 14-2 advantage, as Jennifer Britton and Tierra Turner combined to score the Black and Gold’s first 14 points. However, the Wolves were able to slowly work their way back into the game over remainder of the half, as the Peregrines lead was trimmed to five, 35-30, heading into the break.

Michigan Dearborn pulled within two, 39-37, in the opening three minutes of the final stanza, but Britton’s back-to-back trifectas would ignite a 19-2 spurt over the next five minutes to help the Peregrines erase any doubts of a comeback. Alex Starr closed out the run with a breakaway layup, giving Purdue Calumet its largest lead of the game, 58-39.

Despite an impressive offensive showing, the key to the Peregrines’ success came on defense, as they scored a whopping 20 points off Michigan Dearborn turnovers. The Black and Gold’s fast-paced attack and pressure defense forced 28 mishaps by the Wolves, a 17-turnover difference between the two teams.

Five players reached double-figures for Purdue Calumet, who reached the 70-point plateau for the 20th time in their last 21 contests. Britton got all of her team-high 15 points from beyond the arc, as the junior guard knocked down five treys in the game. Turner recorded a double-double in her first collegiate game, scoring 14 points and pulling down 12 rebounds.

MeMe Harris scored 11 of her 14 points in the second half to go along with her game-high six assists, while Stephaine Beck added 12 points and three steals. Starr rounded out the Peregrines in double-digits, finishing with 11 points off the bench.

Purdue Calumet will be back in action on Saturday, Nov. 7, when it takes on Spring Arbor during Homecoming festivities. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. with the Peregrines’ men’s team set to take on Indiana Northwest immediately after the conclusion of the women’s contest.