2013 Big Ten Women’s Tournament: Boilers Win For Ninth Time

Once again, Purdue has won the Purdue Invitational Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament. This marks the ninth time in 19 times since the tournament started that Purdue has won the event, by far the most. The Boilers dominated Michigan State 62-47 and cruised after leading by 19 at the half.

It's almost inexplicable how Purdue seems to own this event. Part of it may come from the close proximity of the tournament every year to Purdue's campus, especially since the Boilers have a decent following for the women's game. This was the first time that the Boilers have won the event when it was held outside the state of Indiana, however.

It was also the second time in a row Purdue has won the tournament, and it locks up an automatic bid in the NCAA Women's Tournament in a few weeks. Purdue was already going to qualify, but at 24-8 this likely helps them avoid the 8/9 game and may get them a seed in the 4-6 range.

After everything she has been through in her career, including almost dying, Drey Mingo will go out as the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. She had 24 points in the championship game and was joined on the All-Tournament team by Courtney Moses and KK Houser. Moses added 16 points and five assists in the championship and Houser had 10 points, but it was Mingo who shined brightest on this day.

Purdue is now playing some of its best basketball of the season at the right time. The women's Bracketology a week ago had Purdue as an eight seed opposite 1 seed Stanford, but after the run in Chicago the ladies will now almost assuredly move out of that dangerous position.

For now, let's congrats on the ladies recovering from a rough patch and taking the program back to where it belongs.