Monday, March 31
Fort Wayne, Ind.
7 PM
Purdue Fort Wayne
27-9,18-2Horizon
65
vs
76
Cleveland State
27-9,14-6Horizon
1
2
3
4
F
Cleveland St.
24
13
20
19
76
Purdue Fort Wayne
20
13
14
18
65
Lauren Ross
Photo by: Josh Gales
Best Season in Mastodon History Ends in WNIT Great 8
3/31/2025 9:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The best season in Purdue Fort Wayne women's basketball program history came to an close on Tuesday evening (March 31) as Cleveland State defeated the Mastodons 76-65 the Great 8 of the Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT).
A crowd of 1,053 filled the Gates Sports Center, the Mastodons' second game in a row with over 1,000 fans.
The Mastodons finished the 2024-25 campaign with a 27-9 record, the best season of any level in program history. The Mastodons finished 15-2 at home, only taking losses to this Cleveland State team.
Lauren Ross finished her final season of college basketball as the national leader in 3-point percentage (47.6 percent) and free throw percentage (94.8).
Ross put the 'Dons up 16-14 with a bit over four minutes left in the first quarter with a 3-pointer. Cleveland State followed with a 10-2 run to take a 24-18 lead. The Vikings took their largest lead of the first half at 37-26 on a Destiny Leo basket inside with 4:57 left in the second quarter. The Vikings' offense slowed down after that. The 'Dons kept them off the board the rest of the quarter and went to the break down just 37-33. Amellia Bromenschenkel had nine points in the first half.
An Audra Emmerson floater tied the game at 37 before a Bromenschenkel 3-pointer gave the 'Dons the lead back at 40-39 with 7:36 on the clock in the second. However, it was the Mastodons' only lead of the second half as Cleveland State scored the next 14 points. Down 16 points with 44 seconds left, the 'Dons closed the quarter with six points in a row including a floater by Sydney Freeman at the buzzer. Entering the final quarter down 57-47, the Mastodons cut the deficit to 67-61 with 3:25 remaining on a Jazzlyn Linbo jumper. The 'Dons got no closer.
Ross led the 'Dons with 14 points while Freeman (13), Bromenschenkel (13) and Linbo (12) also reached double-digits.
Leo scored 22 for Cleveland State and Mickayla Perdue finished at 21. They helped the Vikings shoot 51.9 percent (28-of-54).
Cleveland State improves to 27-9 and will play at Buffalo in the Fab 4.
A crowd of 1,053 filled the Gates Sports Center, the Mastodons' second game in a row with over 1,000 fans.
The Mastodons finished the 2024-25 campaign with a 27-9 record, the best season of any level in program history. The Mastodons finished 15-2 at home, only taking losses to this Cleveland State team.
Lauren Ross finished her final season of college basketball as the national leader in 3-point percentage (47.6 percent) and free throw percentage (94.8).
Ross put the 'Dons up 16-14 with a bit over four minutes left in the first quarter with a 3-pointer. Cleveland State followed with a 10-2 run to take a 24-18 lead. The Vikings took their largest lead of the first half at 37-26 on a Destiny Leo basket inside with 4:57 left in the second quarter. The Vikings' offense slowed down after that. The 'Dons kept them off the board the rest of the quarter and went to the break down just 37-33. Amellia Bromenschenkel had nine points in the first half.
An Audra Emmerson floater tied the game at 37 before a Bromenschenkel 3-pointer gave the 'Dons the lead back at 40-39 with 7:36 on the clock in the second. However, it was the Mastodons' only lead of the second half as Cleveland State scored the next 14 points. Down 16 points with 44 seconds left, the 'Dons closed the quarter with six points in a row including a floater by Sydney Freeman at the buzzer. Entering the final quarter down 57-47, the Mastodons cut the deficit to 67-61 with 3:25 remaining on a Jazzlyn Linbo jumper. The 'Dons got no closer.
Ross led the 'Dons with 14 points while Freeman (13), Bromenschenkel (13) and Linbo (12) also reached double-digits.
Leo scored 22 for Cleveland State and Mickayla Perdue finished at 21. They helped the Vikings shoot 51.9 percent (28-of-54).
Cleveland State improves to 27-9 and will play at Buffalo in the Fab 4.
~ Feel The Rumble ~
Team Stats
CSU
Pur-FW
FG%
.519
.388
3FG%
.471
.310
FT%
.923
.500
RB
44
26
TO
18
6
STL
4
10
Game Leaders
Pts
14
FGM
4
3FGM
4
FTM
2
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Pts
12
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballG
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