UPDATE (Friday 8:36 p.m.): Freshman plays well despite flu-like symptoms, twisted ankle
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 11/20/2009
Alissa Berger | Staff Photographer
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Just when the women's basketball team thought its number of available players couldn't get any lower, it almost lost freshman forward Sam Ostarello twice in Friday's win over Seattle University.
The Boilers played with eight players compared to Seattle's 10.
One of those eight was Ostarello.
Ostarello was forced to play with flu-like symptoms due to the Boilers' short bench, but she was still able to contribute 12 minutes in the first half. However, her time was cut short as the first half was coming to a close when she was forced to leave the court to throw up, but she said she took some medicine at halftime and was able to return.
"I need to just kind of put it to the side and get this tournament done," Ostarello said. "I think I need to step up and help my team more and stop focusing on myself."
Ostarello still hadn't averted danger yet.
9:21 into the second half, Ostarello again made her way to the bench because she twisted her left ankle. She returned to the game 1:30 later still limping. However, she said it wasn't a big deal.
"I don’t even know (what happened)," Ostarello said. "I just went back and it turned over, but no big deal, it’s just a minor tweak."
Despite the flu-like symptoms and a tweaked ankle, Ostarello was able to get on the stat sheet with nine rebounds, two blocks and three points. Versyp said she'd like to see her number of points improve.
"Sam O.'s got to score for us," Versyp said. "You know, She's got to be able to take it from the high post, turn in place, and score down low. She's always looking to pass right now."
To try and take advantage of the Boilers only having three bench players, Seattle head coach Joan Bonvicini played all 10 of her players for at least 11 minutes each.
"She's trying to build that confidence with her players and she's playing three games back to back," Versyp said. "And if we would have had 10 or 11, you would have seen the same from us."
Ostarello and the Boilers will welcome sophomore forward Sam Woods back from suspension to bring their total available players to nine. They will take on Dayton at 5 p.m. on Saturday in Mackey Arena.