Even though the weather around West Lafayette was near blizzard conditions, the Purdue student section was full an hour prior to tipoff with their most hated rival, the 25th-ranked Indiana Hoosiers, coming to Mackey Arena. The fans and the home team rose to the occasion, as Purdue secured a 70-55 victory.
Defense led the way as the Boilers recorded ten steals and held Indiana shooting guard Romeo Langford, who averages nearly 20 points per game, to just four points. Much of that credit goes to Purdue's Nojel Eastern, who drew the assignment of guarding one of the top freshmen in the nation.
Indiana had a poor shooting day, making 20% from three-point range and less than 40% from the free throw line. Purdue wasn't markedly better, making less than a third of its threes, but Matt Painter's team did sink 70% from the charity stripe.
Carsen Edwards had another balanced night, scoring 20 points, dishing seven assists, grabbing four rebounds and swiping three steals. Eastern recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Juwan Morgan led the Hoosiers with 14 points, six rebounds, and 5 assists.
Purdue has now won 7 of its last 8 games against the Hoosiers. The Boilermakers head to Ohi0 State Wednesday to try to extend their winning streak to 4 games.
