On Thursday, Purdue was humiliated in front of a nationwide audience. When they returned to the floor on Saturday, they made sure they were the ones that came out on top.
The first half was a tough, back and forth affair, but when the Boilermakers came out the second half they went on a run, a hot streak, and Minnesota could never regain control.
Purdue's E'Twaun Moore struggled again in this game, he only scored nine points, but has seven rebounds. The Boilermakers didn't use that as an excuse, Ryne Smith and Lewis Jackson picked up the slack scoring a combined 28 points. JaJuan Johnson was spot on scoring with seven rebounds. Patrick Bade did a great job for Purdue today, playing most of the game.
Minnesota's Blake Hoffarber had 14 points and four rebounds, and looked to be struggling at times. Meanwhile Trevor Mbakwe got hot late, scoring 17 and rebounding 12. Ralph Sampson III added 11 points for the Golden Gophers.
Purdue out-rebounded the Golden Gophers 35-30 and the offensive rebounding edge also went to Purdue 14-9. The offensive rebounds hurt Minnesota in this game, they gave JaJuan Johnson too many second opportunity shots inside the paint.
Overall, I thought this was a complete game for the Boilermakers, much better in the second half. They played good defense when they came out the second half, got the lead, and never looked back.Purdue's three point shooting is what really put a dagger into Minnesota, they were on fire from behind the three, with Smith and Jackson getting hot.
Minnesota played better defense in the first half, and kind of lost their spark after Purdue went on a run. They did have opportunities to get back into it, but never did convert.
Minnesota falls four games back of leading Ohio State in the Big Ten standings. While Purdue keeps pace with Ohio State at two games back, alone in second place.
Minnesota has a game at Indiana on Wednesday, that game they must not look past, Indiana just upset Illinois at home.
Purdue plays at Wisconsin on Tuesday, a place where almost no one can win. It will be a great road test for them and a chance for redemption after falling so terribly at Ohio State.