Gold and Black's Women's Hoops Lineup
The
Starters
The
Reserves
KK Houser 22
G • 5-6 • Jr.
The Big Ten Tournament
might have marked the
best three-game stretch
of Houser's career.
Why? She was efficient
with her shot selection
offensively and didn't
force many bad passes
into traffic. She was poised. Although she
did have 11 giveaways in three games,
she didn't have the rash of turnovers that
have plagued her at times in the past.
Plus, her defense, with seven steals, was
outstanding.
Courtney Moses 15
G • 5-7 • Jr.
Moses was having a
rather ordinary tournament until about five
minutes remained
in the championship
game vs. Michigan
State. Then, she hit
back-to-back threepointers that all but ended the Spartans'
rally. The surge also very likely landed
Moses a spot on the All-Tournament
team. Moses shot better than 50 percent
in all three tourney games, while scoring
13.3 points, having 4.3 rebounds and
nearly five assists per outing.
Dee Dee Williams
20
G • 6-0 • Jr.
Although not known
as an offensive player,
particularly as a scorer,
Williams did well in setting up others during
the tournament. She had
11 assists against only
seven turnovers. As usual, she was solid
defensively too. You'd like to see her more
consistently hit a 15-foot jumper — she
has a tendency to drift left on those shots
— but she's less hesitant now to try to be
an offensive player.
Sam Ostarello 32
F • 6-2 • Sr.
Ostarello might have
been well on her way
to an All-Tournament
team nod had she not
had a quiet championship game. In her first
two in Hoffman Estates,
Ostarello had 27 points,
20 rebounds, five assists, four blocks and
three steals. Her right shoulder, which had
been ailing badly in the second half of the
Big Ten season, is feeling better now. You
could certainly see that in the skyhook she
hit against Wisconsin in the opener.
Hayden Hamby 10
G • 5-7 • Fr.
Hamby played a minute each
in two of Purdue's games,
getting a shot off, but missing, late in the win over Wisconsin. She was on the floor
too for the end of the MSU
title game. Although she didn't play much,
Hamby got a taste of Purdue's Big Ten Tournament success, which might serve her well
in the future.
Joslyn Massey 21
F • 6-0 • Fr.
Massey's not been an oncourt contributor for the
Boilermakers as a rookie,
so the offseason will be key
to her development. She's
potentially a physical player, a
trait Purdue could use on the perimeter, so
there's a possibility for her to find her niche.
But offensive development is a key.
Liza Clemons 23
F • 6-2 • So.
Clemons scored four points in
five minutes of action against
the Badgers in Game 1, then
gave the Boilermaker posts a
critical breather at the end of
the first half of the championship game.
Camille Redmon 42
C • 6-4 • So.
Redmon played a couple
minutes late against Wisconsin and Michigan State and
missed a field goal attempt.
She could be solid defensively, but needs to mature offensively to get an extended
opportunity.
Chantel Poston 43
SF • 5-10 • Sr. (5)
Poston's role was significantly
reduced this Big Ten Tournament compared to last, when
she helped spur Purdue to a
title in 2012. The knee injury
back in November, which she
hasn't returned from fully,
is mostly to blame. Poston is still good for
some energy off the bench, but it isn't as
consistent as it once was.
Taylor Manuel 50
PF • 6-2 • Fr.
Manuel proved to be too
much for Wisconsin, Nebraska
and Michigan State to handle
inside this weekend. She
might not be the quickest
post in the Big Ten, but she
can be deceptive. And her
body control and ball-handling help her
find openings inside. She was very active
against MSU, with six points, six boards and
two blocks.
Drey Mingo 24
F • 6-2 • Sr. (6)
Mingo was unstoppable
in the championship
game, hitting all but one
of her shots in a 24-point
outburst. At times this
season, she's struggled
to finish inside, but not
so against the Spartans
Sunday. She was going right and left with
equal authority, and even made a 15-foot
jumper that she muscled through a partial
block. It was that kind of day.
April Wilson 25
G • 5-7 • Fr.
Wilson's had a penchant this
season for hitting big shots
at big moments, and she did
against Wisconsin on Friday,
helping the Boilermakers rally
vs. the Badgers. She scored
nine off the bench in 20 minutes in the
opener, helping to keep Purdue's starters
fresh for the next two days.
The Shelf
Bays and Thornton are redshirting
as both recover from offseason
knee surgeries.
Whitney Bays
52
F • 6-2 • Jr.
Torrie
Thornton 4
F • 6-0 • So.
GoldanDBlack express • volume 23, express 25 • 10
