Dec. 8, 2000
By DAN GELSTON
Associated Press Writer
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Kenneth Lowe scored 17 points to lead a sharp-shooting Purdue past Duquesne 78-52 Friday in the opening round of the Boilermaker Invitational.
Purdue (3-2) never trailed, and Duquesne (3-6) never seriously challenged them. The Boilermakers broke the game open in the second half, going on a 13-7 run to open the half that pushed their lead to 20 points. A long pass from Travis Best to Brett Buscher resulted in a thunderous dunk and a 70-42 lead. Purdue led by 28 points on two other occasions.
The Boilermakers got double-digit scoring from three other players as they shot a season-high 57 percent. Buscher and Maynard Lewis each scored 11 points and John Allison added 10. Carson Cunningham made three 3-pointers in four attempts.
Lowe went 5-of-8 from the floor and 7-of-8 from the free throw line. His previous high was 13 earlier this season against Virginia.
The Boilermakers led 36-22 at the half on the strength of 54 percent shooting from the floor. Duquesne trailed 12-4 early, but cut it to 12-9 before the Boilermakers went on a run that saw them lead by as many as 16.
Wayne Smith led the Dukes with 17 and Courtney Wallace added 11.
The Boilermaker Invitational returned to the schedule after a one-year hiatus. From 1990-1998, Purdue won every year except 1991.
The Boilermakers play Alabama A&M in Saturday's championship. The Bulldogs defeated Northern Arizona 57-55 in the opener.