Box Score (PDF)
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Purdue rallied in the second half, but couldn't overcome a large first-half deficit in a 70-63 loss to No. 25-ranked Rutgers.
The Boilermakers led early 5-2, but saw Rutgers go on a 11-0 run to take a 13-5 advantage at the first media timeout. The lead would stretch to 35-19 with four minutes left in the first half, before the Scarlet Knights settled in for a 39-27 halftime lead.
Rutgers would then score the first five points of the half for a 44-27 advantage, when Purdue started its comeback behind Jahaad Proctor and Trevion Williams. The Boilermakers trimmed the margin to 56-50 on a Williams 3-point play with 7:05 to play and would get it to three points at 62-59 with 2:08 to play on an Evan Boudreaux free throw.
It was still 64-61 with 29 seconds to play when Purdue had Caleb McConnell trapped in the corner on an inbounds pass. McConnell appeared to fall down while advancing the ball, but the Boilermakers were whistled for a foul. McConnell made both free throws and Purdue could get no closer the rest of the way in a 70-63 setback.
The story of the game was at the free throw line. Purdue was whistled for 25 fouls and Rutgers capitalized making 25 of 36 free throws. Rutgers was called for just 15 fouls, resulting in 10 free throw attempts for the Boilermakers. The free throw discrepancy was Purdue's lowest since Nov. 28, 2008, when Oklahoma attempted 46 free throws to Purdue's five.
The Boilermakers also hurt themselves with 18 turnovers, including 11 in the first half, that aided in 24 transition points for the Scarlet Knights.
Jahaad Proctor led Purdue with 19 points, the second most he has scored in a Purdue uniform. Trevion Williams had 17 points and 13 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the season.
Purdue travels to Northwestern on Saturday for a 9 p.m. ET, tip.
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Purdue rallied in the second half, but couldn't overcome a large first-half deficit in a 70-63 loss to No. 25-ranked Rutgers.
The Boilermakers led early 5-2, but saw Rutgers go on a 11-0 run to take a 13-5 advantage at the first media timeout. The lead would stretch to 35-19 with four minutes left in the first half, before the Scarlet Knights settled in for a 39-27 halftime lead.
Rutgers would then score the first five points of the half for a 44-27 advantage, when Purdue started its comeback behind Jahaad Proctor and Trevion Williams. The Boilermakers trimmed the margin to 56-50 on a Williams 3-point play with 7:05 to play and would get it to three points at 62-59 with 2:08 to play on an Evan Boudreaux free throw.
It was still 64-61 with 29 seconds to play when Purdue had Caleb McConnell trapped in the corner on an inbounds pass. McConnell appeared to fall down while advancing the ball, but the Boilermakers were whistled for a foul. McConnell made both free throws and Purdue could get no closer the rest of the way in a 70-63 setback.
The story of the game was at the free throw line. Purdue was whistled for 25 fouls and Rutgers capitalized making 25 of 36 free throws. Rutgers was called for just 15 fouls, resulting in 10 free throw attempts for the Boilermakers. The free throw discrepancy was Purdue's lowest since Nov. 28, 2008, when Oklahoma attempted 46 free throws to Purdue's five.
The Boilermakers also hurt themselves with 18 turnovers, including 11 in the first half, that aided in 24 transition points for the Scarlet Knights.
Jahaad Proctor led Purdue with 19 points, the second most he has scored in a Purdue uniform. Trevion Williams had 17 points and 13 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the season.
Purdue travels to Northwestern on Saturday for a 9 p.m. ET, tip.