[ad_1]
PISCATAWAY, New Jersey – Mission completed.
Purdue basketball seniors have now won in every stadium in the Big Ten.
Despite eight first-half turnovers, the second-ranked Boilermakers built a 13-point halftime lead behind 8 points on Mason Gillis’ 3-for-3 start, then held on for their first win in Jersey Mike’s Arena since 2018, 68-60.
Purdue (19-2, 8-2) saw its lead cut to two points with 5:19 left, but was able to close out a spot where it had lost three in a row.
Every arena…. except:Purdue Basketball seniors have won in every Big Ten stadium except Rutgers.
Women’s basketball:This former Purdue women’s basketball guard turned veterinarian rekindles love for basketball
It’s over when
Fletcher Loyer was fouled attempting a 3-pointer at the top of the key with Purdue leading 57-54.
Loyer converted all three free throws, while fouling Austin Williams out of the game.
Braden Smith shot hard on Purdue’s next possession and Zach Edey followed with a two-handed dunk to give the Boilermakers a nine-point lead with 2:08 left.
Zach Edey Clock
Reigning National Player of the Year Zach Edey entered Sunday’s game with 1,991 points.
With a dunk late in the first half, Edey became the sixth Boilermaker to reach 2,000 career points, joining Rick Mount, Joe Barry Carroll, E’Twaun Moore, Dave Schellhase and Troy Lewis.
Edey finished with 26 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks.
3 star
Braden Smith, Purdue: The sophomore point guard came in second in the Big Ten with 7.3 assists per game. That average took a hit, but Smith had the hot hand shooting. Smith scored 19 on 7-of-10 shooting, adding two assists and six rebounds.
Lance Jones, Purdue: Jones, who came out of an absolute jam last time, couldn’t replicate the shooting success he had against Michigan. He missed his first eight shots before a steal and a layup. Otherwise, it was a solid statistical game for the fifth-year senior transfer. Jones scored four points, but made just 1 of 10 shots. Jones had 10 rebounds, 8 assists and 5 steals.
Clifford Omoruyi, Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights’ 6-foot-11 senior center has done better than most opposite Edey at the position throughout his career. Omoruyi accumulated 13 points and 6 rebounds.
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking.
[ad_2]
Source link