Purdue Losses Focus and Game to Ohio State 73 to 70

Purdue Losses Focus and Game to Ohio State 73 to 70

by: Steven Stremming, Excel H Sports/USBWA

photos by: Greg Flint, Excel H Sports/Flint Photography

photo of Bruce Thornton by Tony Harper/Indiana Sports Network

Purdue started off fast in their return from the West Coast against the Ohio State Buckeyes and came out on top at the half 41 to 28.

photo by: Tony Harper/Indiana Sports Network

The margin could have been more, but Fairburn, Georgia, Junior Bruce Thornton nailed a three-pointer at the end of the first half that was the start of what would become a twenty to two run beginning the second half and getting Ohio State back in the game.

6’6 Senior, Micah Parrish, Detroit, Michigan was the key scorer for the Buckeyes as he scored 17 of his career-high 22 points in the final half that led them to their 73-70 victory of (Excel H Sports #9) Purdue Boilermakers.

Parrish and Thornton fueled a 15 to zero run that helped propel the Buckeyes from the end of the half and start of the second half in Mackey Arena.

One of the big keys for the Buckeyes was their eight of twelve three-point attempts in the second half.

For the game the Buckeyes outscored Purdue by 24 points behind the arc to counter Purdue’s 24-point margin in their points off turnover margin.

With Braden Smith in foul trouble throughout the game, Trey Kaufman-Renn took the lead and scored eight straight points in the closing minutes to close the gap to a single digit (68 to 67 with just a tick over one minute to go in the game.)

Buckeye Head Coach Jake Diebler commented on snapping a three-game losing streak in the press conference (which is below). The Buckeyes had dropped games to Oregon and Wisconsin by two-points and a one-point setback to Indiana over the weekend.

Boilermaker Head Coach Matt Painter commented on returning from the West Coast (Washington and Oregon) and if it had a effect on his team (Painter’s comments are in the press conference listed below).

The Buckeyes were led by Parrish’s 22 on eight of ten from the field and six of eight from behind the arc. Parrish also accounted for seven boards.

Pickerington, Ohio Sophomore Devin Royal made his return to Ohio State’s lineup and contributed 16 points that included eight of ten free throw attempts.

Thornton clearly showed, like Braden Smith; he is another of the elite guards in the B1G Ten as he scored 11 points for the game, that included eight points to begin the second half. Thornton collected six boards handed out five assists and was credited with two steals.

Reynoldsburg, Ohio Freshman, John Mobley, Jr. ended with nine points with a three of six effort from the floor.

Purdue was led by an outstanding game by Trey Kaufman-Renn’s 26 points on a solid eleven of sixteen from the floor and seven rebounds for the game.

Fletcher Loyer scored 16 points on a solid six of twelve shots from the field, that also included six straight points in the second half to keep Purdue within striking distance in the latter part of the game.

Smith totaled eleven points, on a three of fourteen shooting from the floor but once again handed out eight assists for the Boilers.

Both Lexington, Massachusetts freshman C. J. Cox, nine points and Atlanta, Georgia freshman Gicarri Harris scored eight points, and both gave solid efforts for the Boilermakers.

For the game, Ohio State were 24 of 45 field goal attempts for a 53.3% effort, 11 of 23 from behind the arc for a 47.9% and fourteen of seventeen from the line for a 82.4% percentage.

Purdue for the game was 26 of 54 from the field for a 48.1% effort, three of nine from behind the arc fora 33.3% effort and 15 of 19 from the line, hitting at a clip of 78.9% percent.

 

Press Conferences provided by: Indiana Sports Network/Cainan Harper

#11 Purdue Coach Matt Painter Post-Game Press Conference After 73-70 Loss to Ohio State

#11 Purdue MBB Players Post-Game Press Conference After 73-70 Loss to Ohio State

Ohio State Coach Diebler & Players Post-game Press Conference After 73-70 Win over #11 Purdue