Jan 23, 2002
Purdue-Northwestern Box Score in PDF Format
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By DAN GELSTON
Associated Press Writer
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - Maynard Lewis scored a season-high 23 points, Rodney Smith added 12 and Willie Deane hit the game-winning free throws in the closing seconds as Purdue beat Northwestern 63-61 Wednesday night.
The Boilermakers (10-11, 2-5 Big Ten) watched a 15-point lead evaporate following a 20-6 Northwestern run that gave the Wildcats a one-point lead midway through the second half.
Lewis, starting for the first time since the end of the non-conference season, halted the run with consecutive 3-pointers as the Boilermakers regained a five-point lead.
Northwestern's Aaron Jennings scored eight straight points, including two 3-pointers to give the Wildcats (10-7, 2-4) a 59-56 lead with two minutes remaining. Jennings finished with 15.
Lewis made two free throws, then followed with a 3-pointer that gave the Boilermakers a 61-59 lead with just under a minute left.
Winston Blake, who led the Wildcats with 17 points, hit a driving layup to tie the game at 61 before Deane ensured the victory with his free throws, snapping a three-game losing streak.
Tavaras Hardy, who had 13, missed a potential game-tying layup and Purdue's John Allison grabbed the rebound.
Willie Deane, the Big Ten's leading scorer, was held to seven points but had a career-high 13 assists.
Purdue made 11 of its first 15 shots and raced to a 29-16 lead. Two 3-pointers by Blake spurred a 12-5 run as the Wildcats pulled to 34-28.
But Smith hit a 3 at the buzzer to end the first half with a 37-28 lead and Purdue scored the first six points to open the second to build a 15-point lead.