Zach Edey comes up big again and leads No. 2 Purdue past rival Indiana 87-66
Purdue's Zach Edey dunks during the second half of an NCAA college basketball gam against Indiana, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, in Bloomington, Ind. Credit: AP/Darron Cummings
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Purdue center Zach Edey arrived at Indiana determined to leave a lasting impact Tuesday night.
Then he showed everyone why he is the reigning national player of the year.
The 7-foot-4 senior drew fouls, made shots and even chased loose balls, finishing with 33 points and 14 rebounds while leading the second-ranked Boilermakers to an 87-66 rout over the rival Hoosiers.
“This was my last chance to get a win here," Edey said before handing Indiana its worst loss at Assembly Hall in this series.
Edey did it all, nearly single-handedly getting Indiana's big men into early foul trouble. He was 11 of 23 from the field and 11 for 12 at the free throw line. He dove for a loose ball, and his shot-blocking presence had the Hoosiers out of sync. It was his second straight 30-point double-double since Purdue's loss last week at Nebraska.
Thanks largely to Edey, the Boilermakers (16-2, 5-2 Big Ten) got their first win at Assembly Hall in three seasons and erased, for a moment, the bitterness of getting swept by Indiana last season. Fletcher Loyer scored 19 points and Lance Jones added 17 for Purdue, but Edey was the catalyst.
“He causes a lot of attention, and you see when he goes 1-on-1, he's going to draw some fouls,” Purdue coach Matt Painter said after securing his 214th career conference win to tie former Illinois coach Lou Henson for No. 5 in Big Ten history. “It's difficult to see someone at 7-4, 300 pounds that plays hard every single point. It just kind of shows you who he is.”
Purdue's Braden Smith (3) and Indiana's Xavier Johnson battle for a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, in Bloomington, Ind. Credit: AP/Darron Cummings
The Hoosiers (12-6, 4-3) didn't like what they saw. Trey Galloway scored 17 points and Mackenzie Mgbakco had 15, but Indiana trailed for the final 37 minutes — most of that time by double digits after falling into an early 25-13 hole and a 51-29 deficit at halftime.
Indiana charged back by opening the second half on a 20-7 spurt and cutting the margin to 60-51 with about 13 minutes left. But then Purdue answered with five straight points, the final two coming on Edey's free throws, and Indiana never got close again.
“I can’t sit here and complain about the officiating. It’s what it is. We couldn’t get to Edey quick enough,” Hoosiers coach Mike Woodson said. “I’ve got to get my two big guys a little tougher. I didn’t think we played tough enough, and Edey kind of had his way.”
BIG PICTURE
Purdue's Zach Edey (15) has the ball stripped by Indiana's Malik Reneau (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, in Bloomington, Ind. Credit: AP/Darron Cummings
Purdue: The Boilermakers have rolled in their last two games and Indiana was just the next in line. Purdue dominated this game and closed it out like you'd expect from one of the nation's top teams.
Indiana: The Hoosiers played hard, but couldn't match the intensity or physicality of Edey and the more experienced Boilermakers. Woodson hopes this loss shows his team the level it still must reach.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
One day after extending the nation’s longest active streak of being ranked in the top five to 27 weeks, the Boilermakers made a strong case to reclaim the No. 1 spot it held the previous four weeks. Whether they do depends on what happens later this week.
UP NEXT
Purdue: Plays at Iowa on Saturday.
Indiana: Begins a two-game trip Friday night at No. 11 Wisconsin.
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