Nov. 23, 2004
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - Matt Kiefer and Brandon McKnight scored 19 points each and played key roles in a second-half rally as Purdue defeated Detroit 66-56 Tuesday night in the Boilermakers' home opener.
Detroit had rallied for a 37-35 lead with 11:43 left in the game when Purdue (1-1) responded with nine straight points over 80 seconds to take a 44-37 lead with 9:31 to go.
Detroit (1-1) twice cut the deficit to two points, but Carl Landry scored seven points as Purdue closed the game with a 9-2 run over the last 2:54. Landry ended the night with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Purdue shot 44 percent (24-of-54), including 13-of-25 after intermission.
The Boilermakers improved their percentage by working the ball inside to the 6-foot-10 Kiefer and the 6-7 Landry.
Detroit, led by Ben Green's 12 points, shot 41 percent (23-of-56) from the field.
Kiefer hit two baskets and a free throw and McKnight sank two jumpers during a 12-4 Purdue run over four minutes midway through the first half. The surge put Purdue up 22-11, but Detroit rallied to score the next 10 points as Purdue went scoreless for 3:34.
Purdue led 33-29 at the half after McKnight closed the scoring with a jumper from the free throw line and sank the second of two free throws.