Lady Boilermakers Struggle in Season Ending Loss to Oklahoma State

The final game in Mackey this season was not a good one for the home team. Purdue was never able to get in a rhythm and never regained the lead after relinquishing it midway through the first half.

Both teams started the game with three-point field goals. Courtney Moses struck first and Lindsey Donohoe answered for Oklahoma State. The teams continued to trade baskets. Once Purdue went up 10-9 Oklahoma State made some adjustments that quickly reversed their fortunes. OSU sped up the pace on offense and switched to a zone defense. They ran off a 8-0 run to go up 17-10. It was then Purdue's turn to make adjustments. After Versyp called a timeout the team switched into a 2-3 zone. The switch worked. Purdue slowed down OK State and was able to create some offense to tie the game at 20 with 9:03 left in the half.

With four minutes left OSU was in front 30-27, and OSU guard Tiffany Bias had just been called for her second foul and went to the bench.  It looked like Purdue had caught a break. Regrettably Purdue wasn't able to take advantage. April Wilson missed the front end of a 1-and-1. Then on the other end of the floor we let Brittney Martin grab her own rebound put it back up and in. Despite our best efforts Martin was able to get just about any look she wanted. At the half the score stood at 38-31 Martin had 11 points.

Oklahoma outrebounded us in the first half and shot 43% to our 37%. While we had fewer turnovers than OSU ours were more costly. Oklahoma State had 11 points off of turnovers to Purdue's 7.

Oklahoma State wasted no time grabbing control of the game once the second half started. They quickly stretched their lead to 47-32 with 17:17 left. Brittney Martin continued to carry the Cowgirls she had seven of the first nine points in the half. On the other end of the floor Courtney Moses was doing her best to keep Purdue in the game. Courtney connected from deep, hit two free throws and assisted on three baskets to draw Purdue within six at 52-46.

Part of this run was due to the absence of Tiffany Bias. Moses drove the lane at Bias with 14:04 left. Courtney drew the foul and Bias ended up on the floor writhing in pain. Bias went straight to the lockerroom. Instead of folding after the All-Big 12 point guard went down OSU picked up their play. After Bridget Perry hit the three to cut the lead to six Roshunda Johnson hit a three of her own. This was the beginning of a 11-2 run for the Cowgirls. During the run Purdue turned the ball over on three consecutive possessions.

Even with a double digit deficit the Purdue comeback effort continued down the stretch. The Boilermakers cut the margin to 9 four times over the last 4 minutes but never got any closer til the last basket. OSU Coach Jim Littell brought Bias, who returned the bench at the under eight media timeout, back into the game to help the Cowgirls closeout the game.

Purdue finished the game with 18 turnovers and was narrowly out rebounded 41-40.

Brittany Martin led the Cowgirls with 20 points and 20 rebounds. LaShawn Jones also tallied a double-double with 16 and 12. Roshunda Johnson added 16 as well. Liz Donohoe contributed 12 for the Cowgirls and Bias finished with 7 points and 7 assists.

Just as Martin carried the Cowgirls Whitney Bays did the same for Purdue. Bays poured in 21 points and pulled down 13 boards. In her last game on Keady Court Courtney Moses scored 11 points. She hit two three-point field goals in the contest to end her career in sole position of the career three-point field goals record with 240.

With Monday night's loss Purdue has now dropped four straight second round games and moves to 20-8 at home during the NCAA Tournament. Three of the second round losses have come at the hands of No. 5 seeds.

Oklahoma State moves on to face undefeated Notre Dame Saturday in South Bend.