Indiana University Athletics
IU Defeats Purdue, 79-62
2/22/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
February 22, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana men's basketball team used a 22-2 second-half run to down their archrival Purdue Boilermakers 79-62 on Tuesday night at the Assembly Hall. The game marked the last time Purdue head coach Gene Keady would lead the Boilermakers into Assembly Hall. The seven-time Big Ten Coach of the Year announced earlier in the year that he will step down after 25 years at the helm of the Boilermakers program.
Indiana (13-11, 8-5) led 34-30 heading into the second half when the Hoosiers broke the game wide open. Freshman Robert Vaden started the scoring barrage with a turn around jumper to give IU a six-point lead, 36-30. A Carl Landry dunk would cut the Hoosier advantage back to four, 36-32, with 18:10 left to play.
IU then blitzed the Boilermakers (7-17, 3-10) with a 20-0 run over the next six minutes of play. Freshman D.J. White started the scoring with a jumper in the lane. That was followed by junior Bracey Wright's trey after a Purdue turnover. Another Boilermakers turnover, gave IU the ball back and this time junior Marshall Strickland found sophomore Roderick Wilmont in the corner for a wide open 3-pointer, giving Indiana a 44-32 lead with 15:59 on the clock.
Wright then hit two straight threes to give Indiana a 50-32 advantage. Jumpers by Wright, Vaden and freshman A.J. Ratliff gave IU its largest lead of the game 24 points, 56-32, with 12:16 left in the contest. During that stretch, Purdue was 0-for-4 with six turnovers.
The Boilermakers cut the lead to as many as 15 on three occasions, but that was not enough as the Hoosiers swept the season series from their in-state rivals.
Both teams came out sluggish to start the game, but a hard-nosed defensive effort kept IU in the game early. Through the first seven and a half minutes of play, Purdue led Indiana 9-3 as the Hoosiers and Boilermakers combined for 5-for-17 from the field with six turnovers. IU's only bucket was a 3-pointer by Vaden with 16:28 on the clock.
Ratliff ended the Hoosiers' four-minute scoring drought with a rebound and layup, cutting the Purdue advantage to four, 9-5, with 12:34 left to go in the first half.
Purdue would build its lead back up to six until the 10:21 mark. Down 16-10, Indiana went on an 11-3 run to go out in front 21-19, with 6:51 left in the half. From that point on, IU would never trail again.
Wright led the Hoosiers with a game-high 27 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Ratliff came off the bench to score 15 points, while White ended the night with 14 points, six rebounds and four blocks.
Purdue was led by David Teague's 26 points, while Landry boasted his sixth double-double of the season with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Indiana's bench outscored Purdue's 24-2, and also posted a season-high 28 points off turnovers, compared to the Boilermakers seven.
With the victory, Indiana gained a half a point in the Crimson and Gold Cup standing. The Hoosiers now lead the 2004-05 series 6.00-4.00.
IU returns to action on Sunday, Feb. 27, as the Hoosiers host No. 9/10 Michigan State at home in a pivotal Big Ten match-up. Tip-off is set for noon.
Game Notes: Prior to the start of the contest, IU presented Keady with a self-portrait painting. The canvas used for the painting was a piece of the old Branch McCracken floor...Ratliff was one point away from tying his career high...The Hoosiers bench came up with 20+ points for the third time this year, and the third time in its last four games...IU is now 10-3 at home, including a 6-0 mark in league play...Indiana leads the all-time series 76-73, and is 27-23 vs. Keady coached teams...Mike Davis is now 7-2 in his career against Purdue.
