Lance Jones, Zach Edey lead No. 2 Purdue over Michigan
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Purdue’s 7-foot-4 All-American Zach Edey didn’t score for more than 12 minutes. No matter, No. 2 Purdue still got off to a fast start.
“It’s so much bigger than me,” Edey said. “We’re not the Purdue Zach Edeys, we’re the Purdue Boilermakers. We have so many guys that can really score and everyone made plays.”
Lance Jones scored a season-high 24 points and Edey added 16 points and 10 rebounds to lead Purdue to a 99-67 rout of Michigan on Tuesday night.
“I didn’t force anything,” Jones said. “I felt good. I think the big thing for me is playing with confidence.”
Jones, a fifth-year transfer from Southern Illinois, sank 5-of-9 3-point shots for the Boilermakers (18-2, 7-2 Big Ten), who won their fourth straight game.
Purdue’s Braden Smith contributed 11 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds.
Jaelin Llewellyn led Michigan (7-12, 2-6) with 16 points. Terrance Williams II and George Washington III each scored 10 points. The Wolverines connected on just 34% of its shots.
The Wolverines played without leading scorer and point guard Dug McDaniel, who is suspended indefinitely for road games. Coach Juwan Howard has not given a reason for the suspension.
“So they were missing his quickness and someone who can put pressure on the ball,” Purdue coach Matt Painter said. “I thought our guys did a good job of moving the ball and taking what the defense gave us and trying to establish our guys in the interior. We missed some shots around the rim in the first half. But we kept getting quality shots.”
The Boilermakers made 14-of-21 3-pointers for 67% and shot 52% overall. Purdue freshman Myles Colvin hit all three of his 3-point attempts in the second half, finishing with nine points.
Fletcher Loyer opened the scoring with a 3-pointer and ended the first half by hitting another 3-pointer with 3 seconds left. Those were Loyer’s only points in the first half but it set the tone for Purdue’s 49-25 halftime lead. In between, the Boilermakers, who never trailed, dominated despite a show start by Edey, who was 2-of-7 from the field in the first half.
The Boilermakers shot 47% in the first half while holding the Wolverines to 29%. Purdue didn’t commit a turnover in the first half.
Painter said it was good to see to a lot of bench players see action. Painter said this is his deepest squad.
“It’s a good problem to have,” Painter said.
While Purdue held a 46-37 rebounding edge, Painter said it wasn’t one of the team’s better rebounding games.
Two Michigan post players, Tarris Reed Jr. and Will Tschetter, fouled out.
BIG PICTURE
Michigan: The Wolverines, who have lost seven of their last eight, never really posed a threat to the Boilermakers. Michigan couldn’t get in a rhythm offensively.
Purdue: The most impressive stats for the Boilermakers was its 3-point efficiency. Seven different players made a 3-pointer. Purdue must now prepare for a trip to Rutgers, where the Boilermakers have lost the last three meetings.
UP NEXT
Michigan: Hosts Iowa on Saturday.
Purdue: At Rutgers on Sunday.