INDIANAPOLIS -- At Big Ten tournament time, it's one and you're done, as the players and coaches like to say.

And when that "one" can hold a season in its balance, the sense of urgency that results presents the perfect stage for individuals to gather their talents together to deliver one of the most stunning performances that conference foes have ever seen.

"It's just the time of year where some of these players may be playing against each other for the 12th time," Ohio State women's basketball coach Jim Foster said. "Often times, these games get decided because someone sort of steps out of themselves and presents a side of themselves they hadn't the 10 or 11 times before."

In Indianapolis for the Big Ten women's basketball tournament, March 4-8, that was certainly the case. Here is a collection of performances and moments, from around the conference, that were most pleasing to witness.

Janel McCarville, Minnesota, Quarterfinal against Ohio State

Playing without senior guard Lindsay Whalen, McCarville became the whole Minnesota team as she went head to head with the Buckeyes in the quarterfinals. No, the result was not a Golden Gophers victory, but there is no denying the extreme courage of the junior center's effort, as evidenced by her selection to the All-Tournament team. She was the only team member who did not play in the title game.

McCarville's stats go a long way in describing the type of impact she had that night, as she recorded a rare triple-double with 23 points, 11 rebounds and 10 steals, in addition to six assists. Foster, whose Buckeyes fought McCarville for their 58-50 victory, was simply blown away.

"[That] was one of the greatest performances in the history of intercollegiate basketball," he said. "I think our young freshman [center] was shocked that she was playing against a grown woman who was serious and had great intent and great skill. She has learned that there's another level, quickly."

Ashli Schwab, Quarterfinal against Michigan State

Schwab has had some struggles this season, with a variety of injuries that have limited her practice time and her mobility.

"When she takes that knee brace off you wouldn't want her knees," Penn State women's basketball coach Rene Portland said. "In the Purdue game, she was like SpongeBob. Her heart and her eyes and everything go, but her legs aren't that mobile."

However, it has been obvious in any game when Penn State needed a more physical post presence, Schwab was inserted quickly, and this was certainly the case when a better matchup was needed against Michigan State's Kelli Roehrig.

When Schwab entered the game, she did her job beautifully, adding the force her Lady Lions needed down low. In her 16 minutes on the court, she recorded six points and seven rebounds, despite enduring pain from her swollen knee because for her, it was tournament time, and that meant putting everything aside to not go home early.

"It's definitely a sense of urgency," Schwab said. "There's no time right now to think about what hurts."

Shereka Wright, Purdue, Semifinal against Ohio State

Wright exploded in the first half against a Buckeyes squad that had been as hot as any team down the stretch. By halftime, the senior forward had 18 points and was shooting nearly 73 percent from the field. She ultimately finished with a team-high 31 points and five rebounds.

"It was just me being aggressive," Wright said. "It all started with me being aggressive, and that's the whole scenario."

It certainly was the whole scenario in her team's 67-61 defeat of Ohio State. Wright came out with a motivation that none of the Buckeyes seemed to be able to stop. Wright's second-half performance was as superb as that of the first half and the Buckeyes briefly took the lead in the final 10 minutes. But, the Boilermakers still came out on top, and Wright's fire in the first half to send her team into the locker room with a 12-point advantage was nothing short of spectacular.

Kelly Mazzante, Final against Purdue

After the game, a 59-58 Penn State loss, it was certain that Mazzante was not thinking about what she had done on the court that evening. She was probably lamenting what she felt she hadn't done. But it would have been hard for the 9,417 observers not to notice her polished play, despite the outcome.

In what was the biggest game of the tournament, Mazzante did what great players do and showed up in full form. Special K, as her teammates refer to her, was the hot shooter and displayed her trademark quick release over and over to the dismay of the Boilermakers.

After helping her team to two previous victories against Purdue in the regular season, this Kodak All-American finalist almost led her team to a third consecutive win.

Her presence on the court was simply a pleasure to watch, and she proved throughout the 40 minutes, again and again, why she was named the Big Ten Player of the Year.