What a difference a year makes.
Last year, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights walked into Mackey Arena and stormed out with a win over Purdue basketball. Such was not the case Thursday, as Purdue basketball absolutely hammered Rutgers, 96-68 to bounce back after a disappointing loss at Ohio State earlier this week.
“I thought we did a good job of taking care of the basketball. I thought we made that run to start the second half, and we really rebounded the basketball. Our guys executed and played well. Thought our guys played well. This is one of the best defensive teams in the country. This is a big night for us. This is a big win for us,” Purdue basketball coach Matt Painter said.
Camden Heide goes off for Purdue basketball
Purdue basketball bounced back with a typical night from Zach Edey and Lance Jones, while Camden Heide added a career high for the third ranked Boilermakers (24-3, 13-3).
Edey finished with 25 points and seven rebounds, while also making 11 free throws in a row. Jones added 17 points. Heide, a redshirt freshman, was 7-of-7 from the field, knocked down four three pointers and finished with 18 points in the win. Heide’s hot shooting helped Purdue turn a 19-17 advantage into a 33-22 lead midway through the first half.
“Cam gave us a big lift off the bench. Made every shot he took,” Painter said.
Painter said he was proud of the performance from Heide.
“It’s borderline impossible. You sit there and wait and you know you are getting in there in the first half, may not get in there in the second. He’s been solid on both ends. Tonight, he was able to show his skill, his athleticism and he stayed within himself. He’s got a great attitude and you see his upside there. He’s already a good player. He just needs more of an opportunity,” Painter said of Heide.
For Heide, he said it was a matter of confidence.
“I’ve been working a lot with Sasha and PJ. They give me confidence. When you have teammates around you that give you confidence, it’s a lot easier to play. Coach Lusk keeps telling me stay patient, stay ready,” Heide said.
Edey said he wasn’t surprised by what Heide did.
“None of us were surprised by it. We all know what kind of work he puts in and what kind of talent he has,” Edey said.
Purdue basketball settled in and took off
The two teams traded baskets early, as Purdue held a one-point advantage after the first nine minutes. That is when the flood gates opened for the Boilermakers, who shot 63 percent in the first half to race out to a 52-33 halftime lead.
“The first five minutes, we have four turnovers and give up like five offensive rebounds. We just weren’t playing well. Take what the defense gives you, be simple. We were getting stops, but we weren’t getting rebounds,” Painter said.
Edey agreed.
“Early in the game, we were helping them a little bit. We were giving them those transition points. We were giving them those offensive rebounds. I don’t think they scored 10 points those last six and a half of the first,” Edey said.
Purdue basketball would shoot 59 percent for the game.
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