Purdue moves to 2-0 in Big Ten with win over Michigan
By JAMES HOWELL, Jr.
ISL Purdue Writer
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Purdue Boilermakers are 2-0 in Big Ten play for the first time since the 2011-12 season following a 64-51 victory over the Michigan Wolverines at Mackey Arena on Saturday afternoon.
After struggling through the first half, and Spike Albrecht of Michigan draining three 3-pointers, Purdue locked down in the second half. The Boilermakers held the Wolverines to just eight points in the first 16 minutes of the second half and just 18 points in total for the half.
Purdue freshman Vince Edwards led the Boilers in scoring with 16 and junior big man A.J. Hammons secured his eleventh career double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds.
“Our plan is to always attack the offensive glass,” Edwards said. “I just took it upon myself to go harder.”
Edwards also posted a team high number in plus/minus with a plus-16.
Freshman Isaac Haas, who was leading the Boilermakers in scoring heading into the Minnesota game, struggled for a second consecutive game. He finished with zero points, one rebound and four fouls. He played just nine minutes.
Michigan finished with only one player in double figures — Albrecht with 17 points — while Purdue finished with three.
The Wolverines’ usual leading scorers — Caris LeVert and Zak Irvin — were held to a combined 14 points on 4-for-20 shooting.
Despite the win, Purdue continued to struggle in 3-point shooting. As a team, the Boilermakers shot just 3-13, with Kendall Stephens hitting two of those shots.
Purdue’s strongest area was its work on the glass. The Boilermakers won the rebounding battle 44-22. Eleven of the team’s rebounds cam on the offensive end, leading to 11 second-chance points.
“I think just boxing out and getting rebounds the way we did really helped us out,” Purdue forward Rapheal Davis said.
Purdue will travel to No. 4 Wisconsin on Jan. 7 and host Maryland on Jan. 10.
Postgame video from Purdue Athletics:
