Purdue Fort Wayne
25-7,18-2Horizon
Cleveland State
24-9,14-6Horizon
CHAMPIONSHIP BOUND! Mastodons Beats Vikings 83-65 to Move on to #HLWBB Title Game
3/10/2025 3:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball
INDIANAPOLIS - For the first time in program history, the Purdue Fort Wayne women's basketball team will play for a league championship.
Behind 15 3-pointers, No. 2 seed Purdue Fort Wayne defeated No. 3 seed Cleveland State 83-65 to advance to the Barbasol Horizon League Championship game. The Mastodons will play No. 1 seed Green Bay on Tuesday (March 11) at noon.
The Mastodons' 15 3-pointers are the second-most in a Horizon League tournament game by any team in tournament history.
All five Mastodon starters scored in double-figures for the first time this season. Amellia Bromenschenkel (23), Lauren Ross (18), Audra Emmerson (14), Sydney Freeman (11) and Jazzlyn Linbo (10) were all offensive threats for the 'Dons.
Purdue Fort Wayne poured 10 first-half 3-pointers, which matched the program record for 3-pointers in a half.
Both the Mastodons and Vikings used the first three minutes of the game testing the waters, each team only scoring twice (5-5). Purdue Fort Wayne found its rhythm by scoring 10 unanswered points and held Cleveland State scoreless over a 4:30 stretch.
Ross sparked a triple flurry for Purdue Fort Wayne in the second quarter, as the team hit seven shots from behind the arc on 11 attempts. The Mastodons led by as many as 18 after the hot shooting stretch. Horizon League Player of the Year Mickayla Perdue carried the Vikings through the remainder of the half, scoring 15 points in the second after being held scoreless in quarter one. Despite this, Perdue finished with 33 points for CSU.
To Cleveland State's advantage, the Mastodons' scoring came to a halt after the teams exited the locker room. After a 6-0 run from the Vikings, the 'Dons minimized the damage by only giving up seven points in the final five minutes of the quarter. Even after Cleveland State outscored Purdue Fort Wayne 13-12 in the third, the 'Dons held a 12-point lead entering the final frame.
Ross opened the fourth quarter by hitting her sixth 3-pointer of the contest, matching her season-best. The Mastodons began to pull away after a 13-7 push, jumping up to a game-high 19-point lead. From there, the 'Dons coasted.
Cleveland State only led for 60 seconds. Purdue Fort Wayne led for 37:14.
The Mastodons shot 53.6 percent from 3-point range, matching their season-best mark. The 'Dons also shot 52.4 percent from the floor.
Cleveland State shot 40.4 percent from the floor and 42.3 percent from 3-point range. The Vikings fell to 24-9 and will await their postseason futures.
Purdue Fort Wayne improved on the best season in program history to a 25-7 mark. The 'Dons will play Green Bay at noon on Tuesday (March 11) for the championship.
~ Feel the Rumble ~
