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Estero, FL -- The Boilermakers have started their season 5-0 for the 9th time in school history as head coach Sharon Versyp sought her 200th win as Purdue's head coach.
It wouldn't be an easy task as the Cardinal came out firing with five points each for both Lili Thompson and Briana Roberson early in the first quarter. As the Boilermakers (5-0) tried to find their rhythm, senior guard April Wilson knocked down a much-needed jumper to cut the lead to four.
Stanford (5-1) quickly cooled off. An almost five minute Cardinal scoring drought ended with a steal from Brittany McPhee for a layup and one.
Stanford, fortunate that the Boilermakers were unable to capitalize on their five first-quarter turnovers, ended the first quarter with a 13-9 lead. Thompson and Roberson each had five points.
The second quarter started with an early jumper for Cardinal junior Erica McCall. Stanford caught the Boilermakers sleeping in transition twice to score quickly off of Purdue buckets.
The Boilermakers ended the half with their first three-pointer of the game to head into halftime down 26-21. Nora Kiesler and Hayden Hamby each had four points for the Boilermakers.
The Cardinal went cold again, unable to score in the last 2:39 of the first half, but went three for three from the free throw line to help keep their lead.
The third quarter was a tale of lead changes are three point shooting. The Boilermakers, who couldn't buy a three-pointer in the first half, were 5-7 from downtown in the third.
As Stanford tried to gain some momentum by turning a steal into two points halfway through the third period, Purdue quickly fought back with a three by Hamby to hold the lead to just two.
With just over two minutes remaining in the quarter, Morrissette hit a three to continue a 7-to-1 run and take a two point lead. After seven lead changes, the third quarter ended with Purdue leading 45-44.
The Cardinal and Boilermakers went back and forth throughout the entire fourth quarter. With just under three minutes remaining, Thompson was fouled behind the arc by Wilson to send her to the line where she made all three free throws to take a 4 point lead.
Boilermaker junior Bridget Perry, who propelled Purdue past Louisville earlier in the tournament with a 12-point fourth quarter, dropped a jumper to take a two-point lead. Perry fouled Stanford's Roberson shortly after to give Stanford the chance to tie the game yet again.
Purdue, unable to score on their last possession, sent the game into overtime tied 59-59.
Overtime proved just as close as the fourth quarter. While most stat lines looked almost identical between the Cardinal and Boilermakers, Stanford's free throw performance set them apart, shooting 96% from the line.
Stanford was able to notch their sixth victory of the season with a 71-65 overtime win behind the impressive 26-point performance from Roberson. Thompson added 17 points, while McCall totaled 12 points and 11 rebounds.
YOUR 2015 #GulfCoastShowcase CHAMPS ...@StanfordWBB !!!! pic.twitter.com/P560dKYLKq
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Purdue's Wilson lead the Boilermakers with 17 points, highlighted by her clutch three-point shooting. Morrissette added 16 points in the loss. Purdue shot 39% from the field.
The Boilermakers will have to continue their pursuit of Versyp's 200th win on December 3rd when Boston College visits West Lafayette. Stanford, on the other hand, leaves Southwest Florida with a championship and plenty of confidence as they get ready for their matchup against #8 Texas next month.