Edwards scores 19 as No. 24 Purdue beats Robert Morris 84-46
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Ryan Cline has turned into a key performer for Purdue.
Cline made five 3-pointers on his way to 17 points, and the 24th-ranked Boilermakers routed Robert Morris 84-46 on Friday.
Cline was 6 for 10 from the field in his sixth straight start to begin the year. The senior guard is averaging 14.3 points after making just seven starts over his first three seasons in the program.
"(Cline) can really shoot the basketball obviously," coach Matt Painter said. "He's becoming a real good defender. I think he did a good job with that (Friday) but he has to be consistent in that area. When you move (from rotation) player to his spot, you have to be accountable across the board."
Carsen Edwards led Purdue with 19 points, helping the Boilermakers (5-1) bounce back from their first loss of the season Sunday night against No. 13 Virginia Tech. Edwards was 5 for 17 from the field against the Colonials, but also contributed five assists, four steals and a blocked shot.
Purdue used an 11-0 run to open a 59-28 lead with 10:47 left in the second half. The Boilermakers led by as many as 43 points.
"I think we have good stretches and we have bad stretches," Painter said. "We're really trying to search for some consistency. We had stretches where we didn't do a good job of executing. I was pleased once again with our rebounding. That's probably the most consistent part for us."
The bigger Boilermakers enjoyed a 43-27 rebounding advantage and made 20 of 23 foul shots, compared to 8 for 10 at the line for the Colonials.
"Our shot selection isn't good at times because we go too quick in a possession," Painter said. "When we do show poise and execute, I think we've been pretty good offensively. We have to keep putting ourselves in position to win games."
Malik Petteway led Robert Morris with 10 points. The Colonials (3-3) shot 31.5 percent (17 for 54) from the field.
Cline went 5 for 7 from 3-point range.
"We wanted to see how we bounced back from that loss, which a team has to do to push forward," Cline said.
BIG PICTURE
Robert Morris had won three in a row since a 74-60 loss at Missouri State on Nov. 9.
Next up for Purdue is a pair of tough road games. The Boilermakers visit No. 14 Florida State on Wednesday night and then take on No. 9 Michigan in the Big Ten opener next Saturday.
KEY STAT
Purdue got 37 points from its reserves. Robert Morris' starters finished with 27.
Evan Boudreaux, a graduate transfer from Dartmouth, and freshman Trevion Williams had nine points apiece. Eric Hunter Jr. and Sasha Stefanovic each scored eight for the Boilermakers.
"You have to be able to get some depth on your team," Painter said. "Evan Boudreaux has really done well for us, he's more like a starter though. Sasha and Eric knocking down a couple of 3s was really good. Any time we can put guys out there that can stretch the defense for us is helping us across the board. The more people they have to worry about, the better."
UP NEXT
Robert Morris: Hosts Youngstown State on Wednesday night.
Purdue: Takes on the Seminoles in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.
