WEST LAFAYETTE -
Sam Ostarello scored a career-high 21 points and matched her season-high with 13 rebounds to help No. 15 Purdue remain on top of the Big Ten with a 77-66 victory over Illinois on Sunday.
Courtney Moses also had 21 points for the Boilermakers (19-5, 9-2 Big Ten), who were coming off a thrilling triple overtime loss to Nebraska on Thursday. They moved a half-game in front of the Cornhuskers in the conference standings.
Trailing 26-25 late in the first half, Purdue scored eight of the final 10 points before break to take a five-point halftime advantage.
The Boilermakers continued the push to start the second half, expanding their lead to 44-30 on Brittany Rayburn's 3-pointer.
Illinois rallied to within 62-58 with 7 minutes left before Moses scored four quick points to put Purdue comfortable back in front.
Adrienne Godbold scored 25 points and Alex Burke added 17 for Illinois (8-16, 2-9).
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