Purdue breaks 3-point record in 107-79 win over Vermont
By KEITH CARRELL
ISL Correspondent
The Paint Crew ran out of “3” signs it hangs after each made 3-pointer.
That’s how well Purdue’s offense was clicking Sunday. The Boilermakers broke a school record for 3-pointers made in a game, with 18, in a 107-79 win over Vermont.
Here’s the barrage, courtesy of Big Ten Network:
How impressive were @BoilerBall‘s school-record 18 triples? See for yourself! https://t.co/8FeFlfrf9t
— Purdue on BTN (@PurdueOnBTN) November 16, 2015
The previous high for threes made at Mackey Arena was 15, and the overall mark was 16.
Coach Matt Painter said “we have to have a balance of our interior play and our perimeter shooting” after the game. Purdue’s balance today was evident as the team went a combined 18-for-36 from three and 18-for-29 from inside the arc, including 17 in the paint. Purdue guard Dakota Mathias stated that opponents “are going to have to pick their poison against us.”
To that end, Vermont began the game playing a man defense and tried to take away the inside game, led by forward Ethan O’Day’s solid play, until he got into foul trouble. Vermont quickly shifted to a zone defense and left a little extra cushion for Purdue’s wings, who took advantage. Kendall Stephens got the three point shooting streak going in the first half and the hot hand quickly spread to the rest of the team.
There was also balance in who was contributing to the scoring, with six players in double figures and six players with at least one made three. Mathias, after going scoreless in the season opener, led the team with five made threes on eight attempts while Vince Edwards (4-for-5), Stephens (3-for-8), Ryan Cline (3-for-7), Caleb Swanigan (2-for-4), and Rapheal Davis (1-for-1) each contributed with at least one make. Mathias also led the team in scoring with 17 points.
The offense was clicking, but the defense struggled against Vermont. A.J. Hammons continued to ride the pine in Painter’s doghouse, and his presence was missed as a rim protector and safety net, especially in the first half. Vermont was able to get to the rim a number of times off the dribble, and Purdue’s switching-help defense was slow to rotate allowing 45 points on 48% shooting in the first half. Painter continued to evade detail on what is causing Hammons to miss time, but did mention that “it’s a process” Hammons needs to complete before he plays.
Although the pace of the game was fast and the scoreboard operator was busy, the day started on a somber note as Purdue had a moment of silence for the victims of the Paris attacks on Friday and honored Josh Speidel, a Vermont recruit and Indiana native who was injured in a car accident last winter where he sustained major injuries. The NCAA allowed Speidel to sit on the Vermont bench for the game and was an honorary captain for the game. On the emotional moment held for Speidel, Painter mentioned that “it was huge of […] the Purdue community to make him feel welcome.”
Purdue’s 107 points were the most scored since putting up 109 points against Central Connecticut State on November 11th, 2013. The most points Purdue has ever scored in a game were 120 against IU on March 8, 1969. Purdue could have piled on the scoring more today, as the Boilermakers had reached 95 with 7:31 to play and broke the century mark with 4:49 left on the clock after an Isaac Haas dunk.
Quick Hits:
Swanigan had another double-double (14-13) in points and rebounds… Purdue only committed five turnovers… Purdue scored 24 points off of 17 Vermont turnovers… Johnny Hill picked up two fouls early in the first half for the second consecutive game… Purdue went 17-27 from the free throw line, including 1-7 in the second half.
Here are the postgame interviews, from Purdue Athletics.
Cline, Edwards, Haas, Mathias and Coach Painter talk about #Purdue‘s 107-79 win over Vermont. #RememberTheName https://t.co/GEwnvtF1RY
— Purdue Basketball (@BoilerBall) November 15, 2015
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