Purdue has struggled holding second half leads this year. The Boilers blew double-digit advantages twice in December against Xavier and Butler. Saturday, they refused to have another letdown and trounced Illinois 75-60 at Mackey Arena.
“In the past we knew we had trouble finishing games and we knew we were going to let this one go, so we are happy about it,“ said Ryne Smith. “We are finally getting back to what Purdue basketball is all about. I think early in the season we weren’t playing up to our potential.”
Purdue used an 11-1 run to end the first half to take a 26-24 lead into the break and then poured it on early and often in the second frame.
Matt Painter’s team opened the second half on a 26-5 run and never looked back.
“We were able to get that long run and they were never able to find their way offensively and that was probably the difference in the game,“ said Purdue’s head coach. “I think we made some improvements today, but we still have a ways to go.”
Nine different Boilermakers scored. Kelsey Barlow led the team with 14, which ties his career high, and Smith chipped in 12, all coming from three-point range. As Barlow starting going, so too did his teammates. He scored eleven of his points in the final 20-minutes, including a thunderous dunk that made Mackey Arena deafening.
“I’m trying to angles to the hoop and take the open shot,“ said Barlow. “I think our defense kind of frustrated their team and when we played offense we were in a really good mood, really happy, and having fun.”
Purdue’s leading scorer for the season, Robbie Hummel, was held to just five-points, more than 12 below his average, but he didn’t have to do as much because of the play of the Boilers’ bench.
Purdue’s reserves scored 36-points. D.J Byrd and Terone Johnson each scored nine and Travis Carroll and Anthony Johnson scored seven apiece to lift Purdue to 2-0 in Big Ten Conference play.
“We got a lot of production and a lot of balance from our bench,” said Painter. “If you can continue to do that, you’ll have a lot of success.”
Offensively Purdue was efficient. They shot 56-percent from the field and were 9-17 from beyond the three-point arc. The main reason they shot so well was easy baskets. The Boilers scored 20-points off of Illinois’ 21-turnovers and held the Illini to 42-percent shooting from the game.
“They were able to get transition, that’s why they got the lead,” said Illinois head coach Bruce Weber.
“We didn’t take care of the ball. I didn’t think we quit by any means, but it’s hard to guard layups when you turn it over. Three-on-ones, two-on-ones, and things like that. It’s hard to really say what the effort was because they were just in transition. We just didn’t take care of the basketball. We need someone to be a leader, go make a play, and offset a run.”
Brandon Paul scored 17 and D.J Richardson scored 15 for the Illini who fall to 12-3 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten.
Purdue also is 12-3 and extended its winning streak to three games. The Boilers go on the road for their next two games, at Penn State and Minnesota.