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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) -- Purdue coach Gene Keady found what
he has been looking for the past few weeks -- production from his
bench.
Led by Maynard Lewis and Rodney Smith, the Boilermakers (No. 23 ESPN/USA Today, No. 25 AP) got 39 points from their reserves in Thursday night's 83-48 win over Western Illinois.
Brian Cardinal and Lewis each scored 15 points, while Greg McQuay and Smith added 13 apiece to pace Purdue (5-2). Lewis and Smith combined to shoot 9-of-16 from the field and 7-of-7 from the
foul line.
Juan Martinez scored 18 points to lead Western Illinois (4-5).
"With Maynard and Rodney now starting to score like they've been practicing, that was good for us," Keady said. "Hopefully our bench now will be able to compete with other people's quality
benches that we'll be playing.
"We needed the bench to get some confidence, and certainly, if we're not getting confidence now, I don't think we will. This was a nice week for our bench and there's no doubt that it's got to help you."
The Boilermakers broke the game open in the first half, outscoring the Leathernecks (4-5) 15-2 during a five-minute stretch. Smith triggered the run with a three-point play that gave Purdue the lead for good, 15-14, with 12:39 remaining in the opening half.
Lewis followed with a jumper to make it 17-14 and then added the
final five points of the run with two free throws and a 3-pointer.
Western Illinois committed six of its 30 turnovers during that stretch.
Smith also scored seven points in an 11-0 Purdue run in the
second half that helped the Boilermakers extend a 47-35 lead to
58-35 with 11:40 left. Purdue led by at least 25 points over the
last 10 minutes.
"I started slow because I hadn't had much experience," Smith
said. "Extended periods of playing time are important to how we
play."
Purdue shot 49 percent from the field and 20-of-25 from the foul
line. Western Illinois missed its only two free throws, the first
time Purdue has held an opponent at Mackey Arena without a made
free throw.
"I was so disappointed with our turnovers in the first half,"
said Western Illinois coach Jim Kerwin. "You can't have 16
turnovers and beat Purdue. You can't have 16 turnovers and beat
anybody."
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ALSO SEE
Mens College Basketball Scoreboard
Western Illinois Clubhouse
Purdue Clubhouse
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