Women's Basketball Is The Big Ten Tournament Title

For the first time in its 17-year history, women's basketball Big Ten tournament was decided in overtime.

Number 21 and number 4 seed Purdue (08.24) defeated number 24 and number 6 seed Nebraska (24.8), 74-70 on Sunday night in double overtime.

"(It was) just an incredible game of basketball,« Purdue head coach Sharon Versyp said. "The will of both teams was the biggest thing."

Winning the tournament was a goal for six members of the senior classes at Purdue. The last time the team has won Purdue was in 2008, a year before the current income seniors.

"It's a great feeling," said Rayburn. "We went through many hardships, as a team - near-death experience, and many were injured. We played through it, and we came together as a team."

When the teams last met on February 2, the game is stretched to a triple overtime - and to play more minutes Sunday is not a surprise. During their first meeting Huskers came out on top, but Versyp key this time was for the boiler to stay calm.

"We need to stay ready. We had to make sure that we had a shot, and it just comes back to be in a tight game. We have been in many close games, and hit the majority of them."

In the first half, boilers built 11-point lead over Huskers, but the fouls and free throws closed the gap. Although Purdue has never lagged behind in the half, the team went to the halftime break 27-27 connected.

In the second half, tied the lead six times and passed six more hands. Nebraska continued to shoot free throws in the hands of Purdue fouls, sinking 12 of 13 attempts for more than 92 percent accuracy. At the end of the control board showed 56-56 tie.

In the first period of overtime, Purdue was shooting free throws to stay in the game. Hauser and senior guard Brittany Rayburn each of which two are on the way to another tie, this time at 64-64. The second overtime was tightened when the boilers were 3 points and forced the Huskers to throw wild 3-point stroke. Redshirt junior Chantel Poston grabbed the air ball rebound, was fouled and made one of his free throws with 3 seconds left on the clock, setting the final score of 74-70.

"Chantelle told me, she said, 'Coach, I felt like I was flying," said Versyp. "I think that her wrists were way over the edge. She is very athletic, it is explosive. "

Nebraska free throws may be retained in the Huskers play in the early stages, and on both Versyp and Nebraska head coach Connie Yori, rebounding was the deciding factor.

"(Nebraska) knocked down free throws, if not tomorrow, but we did a great job on the board of directors and our defense was very sound, and we made free throws late in the game when we needed them," said Versyp.

Purdue jumped out Nebraska 51-40 and scored 14 points on second chance shots after the capture of the offensive boards.

"I think that the game was won and lost in a restored," said Yori. »(Purdue) scored a lot of points off offensive rebounds."

Purdue led by 19 points redshirt sophomore guard K. Hauser, and five interceptions. When the Nebraska defense shut down the shooters senior Brittany Rayburn and sophomore Courtney Moses, Hauser came to fill the void.

"When we were in our power, we have players step up and do the things left and right, to help each other," said Versyp. "I think it's great."

Poston made his first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. She made five of 10 attempts from the game and one of two free throws.

Junior forward Sam Ostarello and 10 rebounds to help lead Purdue, including a put-back late in the second half.

After winning the Big Ten tournament, Purdue secured an automatic bid to the conference tournament, NCAA. Purdue will host the first two rounds of the tournament March 17 and 19 Mackey Arena.

Sources: purdueexponent

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