Purdue outlasts Minnesota 75-67 behind Sam Ostarello's game high 19 points

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - No. 12/11 Purdue (15-2, 4-0) is off to its best start since 2005-06 after defeating Minnesota 75-67.

Sam Ostarello continued her torrid pace of late by scoring a game high 19 points while adding 14 rebounds to lead the Boilermakers.

Courtney Moses added 18 points and six assists, Drey Mingo scored 14 points and KK Houser had 10 assists for the Boilermakers who played their first 40 minute Big Ten game of the season.

“This is how I would like to play as much as I can with our bench. We were able to in the non-conference and we really empowered our kids on Wednesday and the players that are coming off the bench about how important it is and that they have an opportunity to step up and make a difference,” said Purdue head coach Sharon Versyp.

The Boilermakers got off to a great start and never looked back as the gold and black never trailed in the game and led 38-33 at the half.

The message at halftime from Purdue head coach Sharon Versyp was to add to the lead and not let the Golden Gophers back into the game.

“It came down to us really executing, sharing the basketball and having assists. This is how we played in the non-conference, having all these assist and shooting the basketball well,” said Versyp.

Purdue junior Courtney Moses echoed her head coaches’ insight and thought her teammates did a good job of closing the game out down the stretch. The Boilermakers led by as many as 14 points in the second half.

“In the first half we would get ahead and they would come back and knock down some three's. That was an emphasis at the half that once we get on a run and get ahead that we can't let them come back so I thought we did a good job of that in the second half when we got the lead of securing it,” said junior Courtney Moses.

The Boilermakers will return to action on Sunday when they travel to Iowa to take on the Hawkeyes.