Purdue Crushes N. Illinois 96-34
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Robbie Hummel scored 21 points to help Purdue defeat Northern Illinois 96-34 Friday night in the season opener for both teams.
It was Hummel's first regular-season game since he tore the ACL in his right knee in February 2010. He made 5 of 7 3-pointers in 20 minutes as Purdue rolled to the third-largest margin of victory in school history and the largest since 1911. It also was Purdue's 18th straight home win.
Purdue rededicated Mackey Arena during the first regular-season game since the facility was updated as part of a $100 million renovation project. It also was the first game on the new floor, which was replaced after flooding during the offseason.
Purdue forced 28 turnovers and held the Huskies to 25 percent shooting.
Tim Toler scored 11 points for Northern Illinois in coach Mark Montgomery's debut at the school.
Hummel was one of Purdue's best players during the 2009-10 season before the injury. He had high hopes after surgery, but he re-injured the knee in preseason practice last year and missed the 2010-11 season. He was Purdue's top scorer in exhibition play this year, averaging 13 points and 5.5 rebounds despite playing just 31 minutes in the two games combined.
He looked fluid and confident on the knee on Friday.
Purdue lost top scorers JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore to the NBA draft, but the Boilermakers replaced their production from the 3-point line — making 14 of 28 from beyond the arc against Northern Illinois.
Kelsey Barlow had 14 points and three steals and Anthony Johnson and Terone Johnson both scored 12 points for Purdue.
