Barlow's 14 Points Lead Purdue Over Illinois 75-60
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Robbie Hummel didn't have to do his usual damage for Purdue to overwhelm Illinois.
Hummel scored just five points, the first time he'd failed to reach double figures all season, but the Boilermakers rolled past the Fighting Illini 75-60 on Saturday for their third straight victory.
Kelsey Barlow scored 14 points, including 11 in the second half, for the Boilermakers (12-3, 2-0 Big Ten). Ryne Smith added 12 points, all from 3-point range, and Terone Johnson and D.J. Byrd had nine each. Johnson and Byrd led Purdue's reserves, who combined for 36 points.
"We got a lot of production and a lot of balance from our bench," Purdue coach Matt Painter said. "If you can continue to do that, you're going to have a lot of success."
Brandon Paul scored 17 points and D.J. Richardson had 15 points and six rebounds for the Fighting Illini (12-3, 1-1), who have lost three of their last five games.
Paul and Richardson were just two threats to Purdue, but Painter said his focus was on Meyers Leonard too.
"We know how dangerous those guys are," Painter said. "We just wanted to make it hard for those three guys, as much as we could."
The Boilermakers limited Leonard to seven points and six rebounds. He got into early foul trouble and was also called for lane violations on two straight Purdue possessions in the Boilermakers' second-half run.
Purdue led 26-24 at halftime, then started the second half on a 26-5 run. Smith hit two of his four 3-pointers in that stretch, igniting the run that gave Purdue a 52-29 lead. Byrd capped the run with a 3-pointer with 12:08 left.
Illinois was held scoreless for 5:11 over that span.
"We were able to get that long run, and they were never able to find their way offensively," Painter said. "That was probably the difference in the game."
Purdue shot 71 percent in the second half, including 9 of 17 from 3-point range, after shooting just 44 percent in the first half.
Illinois committed 17 turnovers, and Purdue turned those into 20 points. The Boilermakers scored 15 points off turnovers in the second half.
"We just didn't take care of the ball," Illinois coach Bruce Weber said. "I don't think we quit. It's hard to guard layups when you turn it over."
The Boilermakers pushed the lead as high as 27 points late in the game.
"They got their confidence going, and then it was just a landslide," Weber said. "You have to execute the game plan. We didn't get to the basket, and they got to the basket."
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