Sam Ostarello named Player of the Week

PARK RIDGE, Ill. (WLFI) - After a dominating performance on Monday night against the Ohio State Buckeyes, Purdue senior forward Sam Ostarello has been named Big Ten Player of the Week.

“I think that's awesome and I think it's quite an honor. Obviously, when you have great teams in the conference right now, winning any award is a big deal,” said senior forward Sam Ostarello. “I was a bit confused because it's Tuesday and it's a week-long thing, I don't know. But I think it's a great honor,” said Ostarello.

The Ft. Pierre, South Dakota native totaled 22 points, 19 rebounds and registered a career-high eight blocked shots in the 12th-ranked Boilermakers’ 82-75 triple overtime victory over Ohio State at Mackey Arena.

“She just has the knack for the ball. She just goes and gets it. And it's always about effort. She's really buying into it,” said junior Courtney Moses. “She always has but she's definitely taken it to another level. I guess it’s a little bit of her senior urgency level, is what I would call it,” said Moses.

For Ostarello, it is her second consecutive game with 19 rebounds as she helped lead the Boilermakers to an overtime road win at Nebraska on Jan. 5.

“I think its conditioning and I think it's her maturity. The sense of urgency that she is showing as a senior has been great,” said Purdue head coach Sharon Versyp. “She has always done an amazing job but now she's seeing what it does for her teammates,” said Versyp.

The weekly award is the first for Ostarello in her career as a member of the gold and black. The Boilermakers return to action Thursday against Minnesota at Mackey Arena.