Smith hit a free throw with 2.7 seconds left. “They made the plays down the stretch and tonight the better team won it. I can accept that”.
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The Spartans hadn’t just been beating Purdue – they had been blowing them out.
Indeed, the Boilermakers (20-5, 8-4) ended a seven-game losing streak to the Spartans (20-5, 7-5). Toppling Michigan State three weeks ago was step one, in essence cancelling out the ugly road loss to Northwestern.
This matchup pits one of the nation’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses, as Purdue now ranks 34th in offensive efficiency and Michigan State is 12th in defensive efficiency. It will not be nasty, Izzo said, in terms of hard feelings over past pledges rescinded.
Purdue wanted this one badly after seven straight losses to Michigan State – so badly, senior guard Rapheal Davis said playing MSU is “a little bit more than playing (Indiana) to me”.
Those were Hill’s only six points, but without them, Michigan State’s second half rally may have been too much for Purdue. He recorded 19 points, 13 rebounds-the last his most important-along with eight blocks. It was his third straight double-double, the first Purdue player since Carl Landry in 2007 to have such a string.
But Davis also poured in 19 points, passing his season high in scoring in just 20 minutes and hitting an eye-popping five triples in the first half.
“Ray played a great first half and overtime, but he lost his mind in the second half, taking a bunch of off balance Dwyane Wade runners”. George Washington upset VCU the last time out, but it was the Rams’ first loss in 13 games. In the second half, he lost his mind. “But he’s resilient. He’s tough”. “I was pretty honest with you guys from the beginning when I didn’t think we’d get him”, Izzo said Monday of Swanigan, “and then all of a sudden we get him and this and that”.
Purdue sank the game-winning free throw after a foul was called on Denzel Valentine as he was fighting over a screen.
“I knew I could get a basket or get fouled”, Davis said “I was able to make a free throw for my teammates”. “So I have to figure out different ways to beat them, and it helps having Gavin (Schilling) and (Davis), who both have their strengths, that we can combat them”.
Behind Davis, Purdue led 46-30 at halftime. Catt replaced junior goaltender Zach Nagelvoort (16 saves) who was lifted in the second period after Wisconsin took a 4-3 lead midway through the second period. -Penn State coach Patrick Chambers after a 92-65 home loss to the Spartans with State’s Valentine in street clothes because of injury. Freshman forward Caleb Swanigan, a one-time Michigan State commit, scored the final four points of regulation for the Boilermakers. Costello finished with 11 points, and McQuaid scored 10. Hammons scored three, including a nifty hook.
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Gill started it with a dunk, Brogdon hit a 3-pointer, London Perrantes had a four-point play and Wilkins finished it with two free throws, giving the Cavaliers a 32-14 lead with 2:06 left in the half. “I’m very proud of Ray”. As you can see from these numbers, the 6-9 senior can get it done in all facets of the game.
