March 9, 2008
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Indianapolis - Purdue defeated a determined Illinois team at the buzzer, 58-56, to win back-to-back Big Ten Tournament championships. The Boilermakers have claimed seven tournament titles, more than three times as many as any other Big Ten team.
The Boilermakers led by as many as eight in the first half, but a 14-2 run by Illinois put the Illini ahead 28-24.
Purdue trailed at halftime 30-28 and was not able to regain the lead until 7:46 in the second half. The Boilers appeared to have things in hand, leading by six, 56-50, at the 4:17 mark, but the Illini hit back-to-back three-pointers to knot the score at 56-56 with 2.55 to play.
Both teams came up with defensive stops down the stretch and neither team was able to score. On the Illini's final possession, they got the ball in the hands of their leading scorer, Jenna Smith, but Danielle Campbell blocked the shot and Kalika France came up with the rebound.
Purdue had the ball with 29 seconds remaining and worked the clock for a layup by FahKara Malone, but Smith blocked Malone's attempt out of bounds with three seconds on the clock.
Coach Versyp called a timeout and set up a play for Lakisha Freeman in the corner. Freeman missed the shot but grabbed her own miss and her putback at the buzzer gave Purdue the 58-56 victory.
Four Purdue players played the entire 40 minutes and all of them reached double-figures, led by Freeman's 12 points. France scored 11, while Campbell and Malone contributed 10 each.
For Illinois, the No. 9 seed playing for the fourth straight day, Smith recorded a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Lacey Simpson scored 15 points and Rebecca Harris had 12.
In recognition of Purdue's run through the tournament, Campbell, France, Malone and Keshia Mosley were named to the Big Ten all-tournament team and Malone was named the Most Outstanding Player.
Malone set the single tournament record for steals with 17 in three games. She also tied Katie Douglas for the career Big Ten Tournament record of 26 steals, and Malone has accomplished her total in only six games, while Douglas did it in 12 contests.
The Boilermakers have secured the NCAA Tournament automatic bid and will play in Mackey Arena on March 23, because Purdue is hosting the first- and second-rounds. Purdue's seeding and opponent will be announced on the NCAA selection show on Monday, March 17 at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.
Tickets for the NCAA first- and second-rounds are still available and can be purchased by visiting the Athletic Ticket office, by calling 800-49-SPORT or by clicking here.