Game Wrap: Purdue 73, Illinois 56

The Boilermakers continue to play early, but they also keep winning, as they beat the Fighting Illini 73-56 for their fourth straight win as they return home for their final two home games of the season.

It wasn’t the fireworks display we’re accustomed to from Purdue’s star Carsen Edwards, he had 23 points on 8 of 14 shooting including 2 of 5 from three, but coming off the last two games where he went 1-20 from three, the quiet efficiency was a welcomed change.

It wasn’t a clean performance by Carsen and crew though, as the Boilers started the game turning the ball over on 3 of their first four possesions. Edwards finished the game with 6 turnovers and the Boilers as a team had 14.

Matt Haarms continues his late season surge, as basketball tends to get uglier as teams eye the end of the season, the big man has found a rhythm battling inside, defending the rim and scoring the basketball. He finished the game with a double-double, scoring 21 points and grabbing 10 boards, he also added 5 blocks.

Ryan Cline had an off-night shooting, only scoring 2 points on just six shots but he contributed everywhere else. He grabbed 8 rebounds and led the team in assists with a season-high 7.

It was Nojel Eastern that provided the early spark for a Boilermaker offense that struggled in the first half. He took advantage of his size and got to the hoop at will against Illinois’s guards. He had 8 first half points, and kept attacking in the second, finishing the game with 14 points to go with 6 rebounds and 6 assists.

Grady Eifert had 11 points, continuing to show off his long-range shot, making 2 of his 3 three-pointers.

With three games left, the reality is starting to set in. The Boilers are just three games away from earning the school’s 24th Big Ten Championship.

They’ll play host to Ohio St. on Saturday before finishing the season on a two-game road trip. They’ll travel to Minnesota and then finish the season playing at Northwestern. If they win their remaining three games, they’ll do no worse than share the Big Ten championship with Michigan St.

This win locks Purdue into a top-4 seed for the Big Ten Tournament. This guaranteed Purdue the important double-bye in Chicago in two weeks.

Purdue will host Ohio St. Saturday, March 2nd at 2:00 pm.