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Purdue falls to Bucknell in season opener

Purdue's men's basketball team is in unfamiliar territory.  For the first time under Matt Painter, the Boilers lost their season opener, falling 70-65 to Bucknell.

"We have to do a better job of being a team," said Painter. "We had situations when adversity kind of set in with us when we compounded our mistakes.  So instead of having a couple of bad possessions, we would have four possessions that were poor.  We've just got to be more consistent and more mature as a team."

D.J Byrd had a chance to tie the game with about six seconds left.  He got open when two Bison defenders ran into each other, but the shot was off the mark.

"Coach drew up a play that obviously worked and got me an open shot.  I wish it would have gone in, that would have made me feel a lot better," said the Purdue senior.  "But, it didn't go in and we have to learn from that."

Bucknell is no non-conference slouch.  The Bison were a 25-win team a year ago that just barely missed out on making the NCAA tournament.  They did make the tourney the year before. 

And, it didn't help that the Boilers were playing without their top returning scorer from a year ago, Terone Johnson.  He was sidelined with an ankle injury that he suffered in practice earlier in the week.  But, in the first half the Boilers looked like they would be able to survive even with the absence of their junior star. 

Donnie Hale ended the opening 20 minutes with a bank shot that put Purdue ahead 33-27.   Hale scored 10 of his team-high 15-points before the break.   

"He's really done a good job for us knocking down a perimeter shot.  It's a little unorthodox, his shot is.  But, he's been pretty consistent," said Painter of Hale.  "He is making strides.  For his first college game, I thought he did a pretty good job."

Bucknell got back into the game with a 9-2 run to start the second half.    The Bison took a 36-35 lead on a pair of Cameron Ayres free throws and held the edge until Bryd went on a personal 5-0 run to put Purdue back on top 50-49.

The teams would trade leads until the 4:12 mark when Bryson Johnson hit a three to put the Bison up 61-57.   Purdue got within one, but could never regain control.

"We don't make any excuses," said Anthony Johnson.  "They came here and outplayed us.  They out toughed us to some balls and we took some bad shots and it led to a loss."

Ayers finished with a game-high 18, Bryson Johnson scored 14, and senior Mike Muscala put up a double-double with 14-points and 10-rebounds for Bucknell.

Freshman Ronnie Johnson had a strong collegiate debut for Purdue.  He scored 12-points and had a team-high six-rebounds.  Byrd also scored 12 for the Boilers, nine of which came in the second half, and Anthony Johnson added eight-points, nine-assists, and five boards.

But, all the Boilers struggled to execute down the stretch.  They rushed shots, turned the ball over, and failed to connect at the free throw line when it mattered most. 

"There were some times where shots were forced and rushed, especially in the second half," said Anthony Johnson.  "Coach always harps on us about rhythm shots, rhythm shots, and shoot those, shoot as many rhythm shots as you can.  And, when we aren't in rhythm we miss most of those shots.

Purdue made just 7-15 at the charity stripe.  Conversely, Bucknell connected on 20-25.  The Boilers also were out rebounded 36-33.

"We need having everyone on the same page knowing what's going on.  But, overall I see a lot of positives and the things that we have are fixable," said Byrd.  "So, I think that is good for our future."

Purdue is back at home Sunday against Hofstra.  The Pride were just 10-22 last season.  Tip-off is at 2 p.m. at Mackey Arena.