Purdue basketball’s defensive disruption overcame its worst shooting performance of its Canada trip in Tuesday’s 79-48 victory over Calgary.
Five Boilermakers blocked at least one shot and five recorded at least one steal as they improved to 3-0 on their trip. Antione West Jr. led with 14 points and four steals, and Gicarri Harris scored 11 points.
Matt Painter utilized his third starting lineup in as many games, with West, Luke Ertel, Jack Benter, Harris and Raleigh Burgess taking the floor first.
Purdue completes its Canadian exhibition slate Wednesday against University of the Fraser Valley.
What we liked about Purdue basketball’s victory over Calgary
∎ This was, frankly, an opponent Purdue should be able to smother defensively, and it did at times. Over the first four-plus minutes of the game, Calgary managed two baskets (one on a goaltend) and turned the ball over six times. West had four of those steals. Then the Boilers turned things up in the second quarter, holding the Dinos to two points over the first 6:15. Five Purdue players were credited with blocked shots in the first half. While this team still has skilled offensive pieces, there’s every indication the script will flip a bit and the defense may light the fire on many nights.
∎ Purdue’s 3-point shooting fell flat for the first time on the trip, making only 2 of 10 before half and 25% for the game. It had a counter-punch, though, as it quickly realized Calgary’s defenders did not have much of an answer on attacks to the basket. Omer Mayer, Harris, Cox, West and others possess some natural downhill skills. When taking the correct angles and avoiding blocks and deflections, those drives started creating separation.
∎ Caden Pierce’s veteran poise has shown through a few times on this trip, including in Tuesday’s third quarter. He grabbed three offensive rebounds in short succession to give the Boilers their first real spark on the boards. Benter also opened that period with a put-back basket. Those 4s will need to be a big part of the rebounding solution this season.
What we didn’t like about Purdue basketball’s win over Calgary
∎ Purdue should have a significant depth advantage over any of these teams. When the second unit entered in the first quarter, it gave up a 7-0 run and Calgary cut the lead to one point. Painter appeared to be lighting the second-half starters up during a timeout about three minutes in.
∎ Until Pierce asserted himself, the rebounding was not trending in a positive direction. Early in the third quarter, Calgary was shooting under 30% and Purdue only led the rebounds by one. On the bright side, Jacobsen had six in 11 first-half minutes. The collective effort still needs to ramp up.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue basketball shooting slumps, defense drives win over Calgary: Likes and dislikes
Reporting by Nathan Baird, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Nathan Baird, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
