Swanigan's 26 Points Lead No. 15 Purdue Past No. 21 ND
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caleb Swanigan had 26 points and 10 rebounds, Vincent Edwards finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds, and No. 15 Purdue escaped with an 86-81 victory over No. 21 Notre Dame on Saturday, the Boilermakers' first win in the Crossroads Classic since it began six years ago.
Swanigan's three-point play at the end of a 13-2 run gave the Boilermakers a 70-67 lead with 9:41 to play.
The Boilermakers (9-2) opened the second half with a 12-2 run to cut the deficit to four and then went on a 10-0 run midway through the half to take a lead.
The Fighting Irish (9-2) blew a 16-point lead against Indiana in the Crossroads Classic a year ago and lost that game 80-73.
Bonzie Colson had 23 points and 10 rebounds and Matt Farrell finished with 22 points, 10 assists and five rebounds for Notre Dame, which has lost two straight.
Purdue struggled to make baskets in the first half while Notre Dame jumped ahead and led by as many as 17 points when Martinas Geben made two free throws to put the Fighting Irish ahead 48-31 with 1:45 remaining in the first half.
Notre Dame led 52-38 at halftime.
BIG PICTURE
Notre Dame: After slipping into the AP Top 25 two weeks ago, the Fighting Irish have lost two straight. Notre Dame lost to top-ranked Villanova a week ago.
Purdue: The Boilermakers needed this win after their only two losses this season came against ranked opponents — No. 11 Louisville on Nov. 30 and No. 1 Villanova in the second game of the season. The victory over Notre Dame was the first against a ranked team.
UP NEXT
Notre Dame will look to get back on track at home against Colgate on Monday.
Purdue will take the momentum into a home game against Western Illinois on Monday.
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