(Photo Credit: IndianaHQ)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN — On a snowy January day, IU (12-6, 3-4 B1G) struggled to warm up offensively, falling to their fourth consecutive loss. While IU started energetically, the Hoosiers struggled scoring early on and fell behind 9-2. The electric atmosphere at Mackey Arena and Romeo Langford picking up his second foul in the opening three minutes contributed to the deficit. Juwan Morgan and Justin Smith helped IU weather the storm, gradually chipping away at the deficit to tie the game at 18 with 8:10 to go in the half.
The game seemed to turn in the final four minute segment before halftime. IU trailed 27-26, and Morgan headed to the free throw line. He missed both shots on the trip, and Purdue (12-6, 4-3 B1G) went on to score six in a row to take a seven-point lead into halftime. The Hoosiers never recovered, as Purdue only increased their lead after the break.
Langford came back into the game after halftime, but he could never get into rhythm. The McDonald’s All-American finished with four points, on 2-10 FG shooting. The Paint Crew, Purdue’s student section, affected him at the line, as he missed all four attempts. Morgan, Smith, and Lafayette native Robert Phinisee tried valiantly to get IU within striking distance, but it was to no avail, as Purdue outscored IU 37-29 in the second half. The Hoosiers ended up with a .902 points per possession, well below their season average of 1.053. The Boilermakers were led by superstar guard Carsen Edwards, who scored 20, and utilityman Nojel Eastern, who recorded 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Box Score
(Source: Indiana Athletics)
Next Up
The Hoosiers’ next game comes on Tuesday night at Northwestern, IU’s first repeat opponent this season. Wildcats senior forward Dererk Pardon recorded a double-double in the first meeting between the teams, but IU’s Juwan Morgan put together one of his own, leading IU to a 68-66 win. The game starts at 9:00 PM EST on BTN. Stay tuned for our preview of Northwestern in the upcoming days.
