Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/114608
w o m e n ' s b a s k e t b a l l boilers take title BY KYLE CHARTERS KCharters@GoldandBlack.com Purdue 62, Michigan State 47 March 10 • Sears Centre Arena HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — The Boilermakers couldn't have been any more scorching at the start vs. Michigan State in the title game of the Big Ten Tournament. They hit their first eight field goals, all of them within the paint, and 13 of their first 23 to race to a 3310 lead in the game's first 15 minutes. "I wasn't surprised (of the start)," Coach Sharon Versyp said after the title win, "because (we've) been playing really well. And when we executed, we did some good things inside and outside. So I felt if they were going to stop us once way, we were able to score other way." Michigan State's defense did respond, clamping down on the Boilers for the last five minutes of the first half to hold Purdue scoreless. But the margin was still 33-14 at the break. In the second, the Spartans gradually inched back in, closing to within nine with about five minutes left. But their hole was too much to overcome. "We knew we would have to dig our feet in and get started early FLASH FORWARD Opponent: TBA in NCAA Tournament Location: TBD When: March 23/24 Notables: Purdue will find out its next opponent on Selection Monday, March 18 during a primetime bracket unveiling on ESPN. The Boilermakers are likely a 6 through 8 seed in the tournament. … Purdue has the automatic bid from the Big Ten, after winning the conference tournament. … Last season, Purdue was a 4 seed, playing on its home court, where it won its opener vs. South Dakota State before losing in the second vs. No. 5 seed South Carolina. … Mackey Arena is not a host location this season. Tom Campbell KK Houser's ability to avoid mistakes kept the Boilermakers in control over the weekend. and get off to a great start against them," forward Drey Mingo said. "So I think that's what we tried to do." Key Player Mingo was unmatched. The senior had 14 points — she was perfect on five field goals and four free throws — in the first 10 minutes Sunday, helping the Boilers to a 22-8 edge. Playing in her first Big Ten championship game after missing last season, Mingo had a seasonhigh 24 points on 10-of-11 shooting, with eight rebounds, three blocks and two steals. "She had a dominant championship game and that was just awesome to see," Sam Ostarello said. "We were on the bus today and I just knew she was ready, you could just tell in her confidence and body language; for Drey, I know she's been waiting for this moment a long time and I couldn't be happier for her." Key Stretch Michigan State gradually whittled away at Purdue's 23-point lead, closing to within nine with about five minutes to play. But on back-to-back trips, Courtney Moses hit three-pointers, the second from directly in front of Purdue's bench, to spring the lead back to a comfortable 15. "Those were huge buckets for us," KK Houser said. "We knew they were going to make a run — they're a great team — but Courtney came up so clutch for us." Key Stat Michigan State shot a woeful 21.9 percent in the first half, making only seven of its 32 field goal attempts. Although better in the second, the Spartans still shot less than 33 percent for the game, hitting only four three-pointers and taking only five free throws. They had also 18 turnovers. Purdue 77, No. 21 Nebraska 64 March 9 • Sears Centre Arena The Boilermakers very likely played their best game of the season vs. Nebraska, shooting well from the field while limiting their turnovers on offense and slowing down Jordan Hooper, who missed 10 of her 16 shots, and Nebraska on defense. The Boilermakers took control midway through the first half, and once they did, they never let off the gas pedal, holding a comfortable lead for most of the final 30 minutes. "Today, collectively it was one of our best games all year,"Versyp said. "Offensively and defensively, we really followed the game plan and executed inside and outside." Key Player Ostarello was solid, finishing with 18 points and nine rebounds. It's helped that her shoulder, injured vs. Notre Dame in Decem- GoldanDBlack express • volume 23, express 25 • 8