Jan 29, 2003
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By DAN GELSTON
Associated Press Writer
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Willie Deane scored a season-high 27 points and Kenny Lowe added 14 as Purdue beat Ohio State 70-65 Wednesday night for coach Gene Keady's 250th career Big Ten victory.
The Boilermakers (13-4, 5-1 Big Ten) equaled last year's total in both overall wins and Big Ten wins. They're 11-0 at home for the first time since the 1983-84 season.
Velimir Radinovic led Ohio State (9-9, 2-5) with 20 points, and Zach Williams and Matt Sylvester each scored 13.
The Boilermakers, who trailed by eight midway through the second half, took the lead for good when two free throws by Deane made it 64-63 with 2:30 left.
Deane made up for an off-night from the field - 4-for-13 - with a strong one from the free-throw line, making 17 of his 19 attempts while scoring more than 20 points for the sixth time this season. He hadn't made more than eight free throws in a game this year.
Radinovic had a chance to put the Buckeyes ahead, but he missed two free throws with 1:29 left.
Deane missed on Purdue's next possession, setting up another chance for Ohio State to grab the lead. This time, Brent Darby missed a short jumper and Deane grabbed the rebound.
He was fouled, made the first free throw, then missed the second. Radinovic grabbed the loose ball rebound, but ended up traveling as he tried to save the ball from going out of bounds.
Lowe and Darby each made two free throws to make it 67-65 with 20 seconds left. Deane though, clinched the win with two free throws as Purdue snapped a six-game losing streak to Ohio State.
The Boilermakers went 22-for-26 from the line, and Ohio State made 20 of 29 free throws.
The Buckeyes appeared to have control midway through the second half.
Keady was whistled for a technical arguing a blocking call on Brett Buscher. The Buckeyes got four points out of that play and built their lead to 52-44 with just under 10 minutes remaining.
Chris Booker had 12 rebounds for Purdue.
Purdue led 29-28 at halftime.
The leader in career Big Ten victories is Bob Knight, who won 353 at Indiana. Purdue's Ward Lambert is third with 228.