To open the Big Ten season, Purdue entered the game with solid credentials but untested against any ranked team until Wednesday night at Mackey Arena. After a 67-60 win over No. 20 Ohio State, the Boilermakers have a better self-identity.
The Boilermakers (5-2) discovered they can deal with duress as they did early in the second half when the Buckeyes (5-1) cut Purdue’s lead to four, 48-44, the Boilermakers’ smallest second-half margin. Purdue enjoyed a five-point lead at the break after finishing the first half with an 8-0 run.
Forward Trevion Williams approached a triple-double off the bench with 16 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Williams sparked the Boilermakers in his first game off the bench last Saturday with 30 points and 11 rebounds against Indiana State. The 6-foot-10 junior started 22 of Purdue’s 31 games last year and the first five this season.
“It was good to see (Trevion) have a balanced game tonight,” said coach Matt Painter following the game, “He scored the ball a little bit for us. He rebounded, he did some good things defensively for us, and obviously did a good job passing.”
Junior guard Eric Hunter Jr. scored a season-high 15 points in his fourth game back since returning from a foot injury.
Before resuming their Big Ten schedule next Tuesday (Dec. 22) at No. 3 Iowa, the Boilermakers will play Notre Dame for bragging rights at the annual Crossroads Classic in Indianapolis on Saturday.
