Purdue holds off Iowa in overtime; Indiana next
By SAM KLEMET
ISL Correspondent
Sunday’s basketball game at Mackey Arena probably would have been more appropriately played a half a century ago with peach baskets and high-top Chuck Taylors.
But, for what Purdue and Iowa lacked in efficiency, they made up for in excitement.
The Boilers beat the Hawkeyes 65-62 in overtime Sunday for their fourth win in five tries.
Both teams set basketball back a few decades with their first half offense. Purdue shot 29 percent from the field and took a 19-16 lead into the locker room. That’s because Iowa countered with a 15-percent effort, going 4-of-26 from the floor in the opening 20 minutes.
In the second half, both teams worked their way into more of a rhythm.
The Boilers pushed the lead to eleven with eight minutes to play on a pair of Ronnie Johnson free throws, but then the Hawkeyes mounted their comeback.
Iowa went on an 18-5 run and took its first lead of the game on an Aaron White jump shot with just over two minutes to play.
With 33 seconds to go in regulation, Purdue junior Terone Johnson hit a floater to tie the game at 54. Iowa’s Roy Devyn Marble was unable to connect on a shot as time expired forcing overtime.
In the extra session, Purdue outscored the Hawkeyes eleven-to-eight. Brothers Ronnie and Terone Johnson paced the Boilermakers. They combined for eight points in the final five minutes and, besides an insignificant three by White as time expired, Iowa went almost three minutes without a field goal.
Terone Johnson led Purdue with 17 points and 12-rebounds. His younger brother, Ronnie, added 15, four assists, and committed no turnovers in 34 minutes. D.J Byrd chipped in 10 points and freshman Donnie Hale was a spark off the bench for Matt Painter with 12 points and five rebounds, including a pivotal tip-in late in regulation to cut Iowa’s lead to one.
Mike Gesell led the Hawkeyes with 18 points and four rebounds. Devyn Marble, White, and Melsahn Basabe eached scored 12.
The loss is a deflating one for Iowa’s (13-7, 2-5) NCAA tournament dreams. For Purdue (11-9, 4-3), while it wasn’t pretty, the win is another confidence builder for the young roster.
The next step is a signature win. Purdue will have a great chance Wednesday against seventh-ranked Indiana. The Hoosiers got a shot of confidence Sunday with a win at Assembly Hall over Michigan State.
But, in a rivalry game at what will likely be a raucous Mackey Arena, it may be the perfect environment for this version of the Baby Boilers to get their first marquee victory.
Also: Indiana knocks off Michigan State – Brunt and Goff report from Bloomington.
Follow Sam Klemet on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SamKlemet.
Follow Indy Sports Legends on Twitter: www.twitter.com/cliffbrunt_isl.
