Boilers beat Buckeyes

By Anne McLaren
Assistant Sports Editor

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Even All-Americans have poor shooting nights. But when the game's down to the final seconds, everyone knows who's going to take the last shot.

With Purdue’s game against Ohio State in the final minute of the second overtime, and the Boilers trailing by one, senior guard Katie Douglas — who at the time was 1 for 9 from the floor — drove to the basket for the game-winning layup.

"The main thing was just to penetrate and look for the shot or look to kick it or get fouled because we knew that we were going to shoot free throws," said Douglas. "I wasn’t hitting so I was very surprised that she called the play. But I’m glad that it went in. I’m very proud of this team."

Two free throws by freshman Shereka Wright with 3.0 seconds remaining gave the No. 5 Boilers (22-4, 12-1 Big Ten) the 74-71 double-overtime victory.

Wright played for 24 minutes in the second half and overtime, despite getting kneed in the thigh in the first half, which forced her to leave the game.

"A couple of times when there was a dead ball she told me she was so banged up that she didn’t know if she could go any longer, so we needed to hurry up and win because she didn’t know if she could take another overtime," said Douglas. "Just give her credit. She was out there playing with some pain."

Purdue trailed by as many as 12 points in the second half. But a 16-0 run by the Boilers brought them back into the game. However, Ohio State (14-8, 4-8) would take the lead again as the teams battled through the rest of regulation and two overtimes.

"We played 15 minutes of good along with two pretty decent overtimes and we found a way to win," said Curry. "So I’m pretty proud of my kids because they never ever, ever gave up."

In the first overtime, the Boilers opened a four-point lead with baskets by Camille Cooper and Shalicia Hurns. But two baskets by Emily Haynem tied the game at 63 and forced a second overtime.

In the second overtime, a basket by Hurns put the Boilers up 65-63.

But the teams traded baskets over the next four minutes, during which Buckeye Jamie Lewis hit two 3-pointers. With the score 71-70, Douglas hit the game-winning shot with 18 seconds remaining.

With the scored tied, the Buckeyes took the last shot in regulation and the first overtime. In the final overtime, they had another shot to take a late lead; this time they were down one. But the Boilers stopped them each time.

"We stepped up our defensive intensity," said Douglas. "That’s what we got to do. But we (just) did it on a couple of possessions; we were inconsistent a little bit. We’ve got to play like every play is going to win or lose the game."

Douglas played for a career-high 48 minutes, despite a high ankle sprain that had forced her into just 23 minutes during the previous two and a half games.

"(The ankle) is doing all right," she said. "Forty eight minutes — that doesn’t make it feel very well. But it’s getting better. It’s probably just sore. I’m just going to have to move on. A couple of times out there I just wasn’t comfortable but I’m going to get my rhythm back eventually."

Hurns led all scorers with 19 points while Cooper added 14. Lewis led Ohio State with 18 points. She also had six assists to become the Buckeyes' all-time assist leader.

After Thursday's 96-87 loss at Iowa, the Boilers knew that it was a must-win situation to achieve a regular season Big Ten title.

"We have the chance to clinch a share of the Big Ten championship at home on Thursday against IU," said Curry.

"Katie and Cooper have won one regular season. I really want them to walk out of Purdue with two."

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Sports editor:
Paul Trembacki

Assistant sports editor:
Anne McLaren

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