Game Wrap: Purdue 95, Ohio 67

Apparently Purdue was just missing some home cooking before the holidays.

Purdue takes care of Ohio, 95-67, off a strong shooting performance and more great play from Carsen Edwards.

Purdue had struggled from deep in the last two games, both losses, both away from Mackey Arena when they traveled to Austin to take on Texas and played Notre Dame down in Indianapolis. After making just 9 threes in each of the last two games and shooting under 30% from the perimeter, Purdue turned it on early, making 9 of 17 three pointers in the first half, with five different players knocking down at least one.

Purdue’s two leading scorers on the year led the way, with Ryan Cline scoring 19 points, goinig 7 of 11 from the field and making 5 of his 8 three-point shots, and Carsen Edwards continuing his high point output by going for a game-high 30 points on just 16 shot attempts, knocking down 4 three-pointers and getting to the line 7 times. The two also combined for 9 of the team’s assists.

But it was the periphery pieces to Purdue’s offense that finally showed up for a Purdue team desperate for a win after a two game losing streak.

True freshman Eric Hunter Jr. led the way, setting a career-high with 13 points, including knocking down 2 three-pointers and showing an aggressiveness early knocking down a three-pointer and getting the ball in transition on the next possession and scoring on an And-1 lay-up at the rim.

Grady Eifert knocked down 2 three-pointers in the first half, scoring 8 points for the game, and playing solid defense and grabbing 5 rebound.

Aaron Wheeler, the red shirt freshman who Coach Painter said he wanted to get more playing time after only playing 10 minutes against Notre Dame, had 5 points and 5 rebounds in 13 minutes of action.

The Boilers were just 18 of 61 over the last two games from the three-point line. They made 9 by half time with just 17 attempts. They finished the game shooting 14 of 29 from three with five different players knocking down at last one.

The Boilers now have a 9 day break for the holidays. They will be off until December 29th where they will play host to Belmont in Mackey Arena.