MENS BASKETBALL

Purdue 96, Rutgers 68

MARK AMBROGI
ASSOCIATED PRESS

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Zach Edey scored 25 points on near-perfect shooting, Camden Heide added a career-high 18 and No. 3 Purdue routed Rutgers 96-68.

Edey was 7 of 8 from the field and made 11 free throws without a miss. He also had seven rebounds. Heide was 7 for 7 from the field, making four 3-pointers, after entering the game averaging 3.0 points.

Lance Jones added 17 points for the Boilermakers (24-3, 13-3 Big Ten). Jones was 7 of 14 from the field after going 1 of 10 in a 68-60 victory at Rutgers on Jan. 28.. Braden Smith had 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Jeremiah Williams scored 12 points for Rutgers (14-12, 6-9). Noah Fernandes had 11.

Purdue’s biggest lead was 37 at 87-50.

Purdue shot 63% in the first half to to take a 52-33 lead. The Boilermakers made 7 of 12 3-pointers in the opening half, including three by Heide. Leading 22-21, the Boilermakers used an 11-1 lead to grab control. For the game, Purdue shot 59%. Rutgers shot 43%

BIG PICTURE

Rutgers: After trailing by just one point in the first nine minutes, the Scarlet Knights were completely dominated. Rutgers couldn’t make shots and couldn’t stop Purdue.

Purdue: With No. 1 UConn losing by 19 on Tuesday night at No. 15 Creighton, the Boilermakers could move in the rankings if they can top Michigan on Sunday. The Boilermakers (13-3) extended their conference lead to three games in the win column over Illinois (10-5)

Purdue athletics press release

February 22, 2024