Purdue women win triple OT thriller

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - No. 11 Purdue women's basketball team made program history in winning a thrilling 82-75 triple overtime contest against Ohio State Monday night at Mackey Arena.

It was the third straight game in which the Boilermakers played an overtime contest, a first in Purdue women's basketball history. The Boilers also won all three overtime games in jumping out to a 3-0 start in Big Ten play.

"We can persevere through anything," said Purdue senior forward Sam Ostarello. "Three games in and all of them are overtimes. It's unreal. I think it shows how close we are as a team and the confidence that we have in everybody."

"It is our will to win and sticking together and we make things happen in overtime," said Purdue junior guard KK Houser. "Clearly we are used to it and next game we are going to try and win in regulation."

Junior guard Courtney Moses and Ostarello had huge games for the victorious Boilermakers. Moses had 24 points, including a game-tying lay-in in the final seconds of double overtime, which forced a third overtime. Moses, who connected on six three-point field goals, also had seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals.

Ostarello had 22 points, 19 rebounds, which tied a career high,  three steals, and a career-high eight blocked shots.

Senior forward Drey Mingo added 17 points, three steals, and two blocked shots.Houser had eight points, 10 assists, and three steals.

The Boilermakers defeated Illinois 67-66 in overtime to open Big Ten play January 2. Purdue then defeated Nebraska in overtime by a final margin of 69-66 on January 5.

The Boilermakers are now 14-2 overall. Purdue hosts Minnesota Thursday night at 7 pm ET at Mackey Arena.