Purdue basketball relies on recent defense calling card to bury Rutgers’ dynamic duo

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PISCATAWAY, N.J. − Purdue basketball’s calling card of late was what the Boilermakers again hung their hat on.

Woeful shooting from 3-point range and the free throw line was offset by what the Boilers did on the defensive end.

No. 19 Purdue held Rutgers to 32.7% shooting and, again, put its opponent away in the latter quarter of the game in a 68-50 victory at Jersey Mike’s Arena.

After opening the Big Ten season with a loss at Penn State, the Boilermakers (12-4) have now rattled off four straight conference victories and won their fourth game overall in a row Thursday night.

Purdue’s chance to separate itself in the first half was plagued by a 2-for-13 performance from beyond the arc and 3 of 8 free throw shooting.

More: In a season of facing elite scorers, Purdue basketball now tests defense with two at once

Despite 12 first half turnovers, Rutgers outscored the Boilermakers by three at the line and outscored Purdue 9-0 in second chance points to keep the deficit at single digits.

Eventually, though, a deep ball would fall that provided the gap to nail down a win in a raucous road environment.

Jan 9, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights forward Dylan Grant (9) is guarded by Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) during the first half at Jersey Mike’s Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Purdue basketball turning point

Though Purdue never trailed, the Boilermakers let Rutgers hang around longer than they should have.

That goes back to the perimeter shots not falling. The Boilermakers were 3-for-19 with 10:28 to go when an unlikely 3 fell from one of the guys struggling most from beyond the arc.

Gicarri Harris, who came into Thursday’s game 6 of 31 from 3, drained a right wing 3 that put Purdue ahead 49-41. That bucket sparked a 9-0 Boilermaker run.

Trey Kaufman-Renn, who played limited minutes for three quarters of the contest, got going late to finish with 16 points on 6 of 8 shooting.

Boilermakers against Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey

After facing…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/purdue-basketball-relies-recent-defense-010458194.html

Author : Journal & Courier

Publish date : 2025-01-10 01:04:00

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