No. 11 Purdue beats Youngstown State to go 11-0
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- In compiling an 11-0 start, No. 11 Purdue has featured many impressive attributes, none more eye-opening than this talented team's ability and willingness to share the basketball.
In Saturday's 95-64 victory over Youngstown State, the Boilermakers assisted on 26 of their 33 field goals. In Wednesday's victory over Howard, Purdue had 28 assists on 34 field goals.
"It is so important to be a good teammate when your shot is not falling," Purdue coach Matt Painter said. "Guys are making that extra pass to find a man who has a good shot in rhythm."
Freshman Caleb Swanigan and senior A.J. Hammons both scored 15 points to lead four Purdue players in double figures. Hammons added 11 rebounds. Rapheal Davis and Isaac Haas both scored 13 points for Purdue, which had a 54-point second half.
Matt Donlan had 19 points to lead Youngstown State (4-6).
Purdue improved to 11-0 for the first time since the 2009-10 team won its first 14. The Boilermakers have won every game by at least 12 points, pulling away from Youngstown State during the second half.
In the past two games, Purdue has made 67 of 128 field goal attempts (52.3 percent) and has 54 assists and only 16 turnovers in 80 minutes.
"Good passes into the post means a great deal for us," Davis said. "You've always got four skill guys out there who can make plays. Any way we can get the ball inside, we have guys who can do it. We have guys who can pass, catch and shoot."
Swanigan, Hammons and Haas combined for 15 field goals in 28 shots, 13 of 19 from the free throw line 43 points, 22 rebounds and eight assists.
"Their size obviously is good," Youngstown State coach Jerry Slocum said, "They're not only big, but they are good. I thought they did a great job on the interior -- second to nobody in the country. They have a great basketball team."
A 3-pointer from Dakota Mathias gave the Boilermakers a 76-55 lead, and a free throw from Haas extended it to 77-55 with 7:17 remaining. Two free throws by Swanigan with 4:09 to play pushed the lead to 86-59.
A layup by Hammons and consecutive dunks by Hammons and Davis gave Purdue a 61-41 lead with 12:17 remaining, prompting a Youngstown State timeout.
"Against their zone, we were doing a good job with misdirection dribbles and flashing in the high post," said Purdue's Vince Edwards, who had nine points, five rebounds, five assists and a block. "Guys were knocking down shots early, and our bigs were playing well together, just finding each other in high-low sets."
Tied at 18 with 8:58 remaining in the first half, Purdue closed the opening 20 minutes on a 23-12 burst, including 3-pointers from Davis and Ryan Cline, for a 41-30 lead.
Swanigan had 11 points, two rebounds and two assists for the Boilermakers in the first half, and Davis added nine points on three 3-pointers. Purdue was 6 of 11 from beyond the arc before halftime.
TIP-INS
Youngstown State: This was the Penguins second trip ever to West Lafayette, dropping a 65-54 decision on Dec. 17, 1983. ... Youngstown State was coming off a week of final exams after a 60-56 loss to American on Dec. 4. ... The Penguins have not beaten a Top 25 opponent since 1952 when they defeated No. 19 La Salle 68-57.
Purdue: Boilermakers starting point guard P.J. Thompson left the game with 17:21 remaining in the first half after being poked in the right eye under the basket. ... Purdue fans applauded loudly with 5:49 left in the first half when coach Matt Painter inserted the 7-foot-2 Hammons into the lineup with the 7-footer Haas, the first time this season he has played the two together.
MASH UNIT
After the game, Painter said that Thompson required 14 stitches to close the cut under his right eye. Painter said it is too soon to determine if Thompson will be available for the Dec. 19 game against Butler.
RISING STAR
In his three most recent games, Swanigan is averaging 15 points and 10.3 rebounds, making 15 of 26 field goal attempts and 12 of 14 free throws. He has 11 or more rebounds in five of the Boilermakers' first 11 games.
UP NEXT
Youngstown State hosts Geneva on Tuesday.
Purdue plays Butler in the Crossroads Classic in Indianapolis on Dec. 19.
