Purdue loses to Hawkeyes for second time, 83-71 in Iowa City
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Purdue's inability to handle Iowa might keep the Boilermakers from competing for the Big Ten title.
Jarrod Uthoff scored 13 of his 22 points in the first half and ninth-ranked Iowa toppled No. 22 Purdue 83-71 Sunday for its ninth straight win.
Adam Woodbury added 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Hawkeyes (16-3, 7-0 Big Ten), who've beaten four ranked teams since late December ahead of Thursday's meeting at No. 7 Maryland.
Iowa broke open a tight game with a 23-6 run to start the second half, getting baskets from seven different players during that stretch.
Vince Edwards had 19 points and P.J. Thompson had 16 for Purdue (17-4, 5-3), which has split its last six games after a 14-1 start.
The Boilermakers, who committed 17 turnovers, are two games behind Iowa -- which is tied with Indiana at 7-0 -- after getting swept by the Hawkeyes.
"We had some breakdowns. We had some turnovers. They're a tough team for us to match up with because of their skill and the way they move the ball," Boilermakers coach Matt Painter said. "We've got to do a better job of starting the second half."
Iowa cemented its status as a Big Ten contender with a 70-63 win over Purdue earlier this month, outscoring the Boilermakers 50-26 in the second half in West Lafayette.
The Hawkeyes might have effectively knocked Purdue out of the league race by blowing past the Boilermakers yet again in the second half.
Purdue focused on stopping Uthoff up by two after the break. But Uthoff drew the defense away for a pair of easy layups by Woodbury. Uthoff drove the lane for a left-handed dunk the next time he touched the ball to give Iowa its biggest lead to that point, 47-39.
Brady Ellingson, Nicholas Baer and Dom Uhl followed with consecutive 3s that put the Hawkeyes up 56-41 with 14 minutes left.
"When they're patient, and they shoot them in rhythm and they knock them down, that really hurts us," Painter said.
The Boilermakers controlled things for much of the first half, though, connecting on six of their first 11 3s. But thanks in part to three well-timed 3s from Uthoff, Iowa stayed within 35-33 at halftime.
Uthoff and Mike Gesell then opened the second half with 3s to give the Hawkeyes a quick 41-35 lead. That lead would grow to as much as 19 in Iowa's final game before a trip to College Park that could have huge implications for the league race.
"The combination of the end of the first half and the start of the second half was the turning point in the game," Painter said. "When you turn the ball over 17 times, you kill yourself."
TIP-INS
Purdue: The Boilermakers were without guard Kendall Stephens, who stayed behind in West Lafayette. Painter said that Stephens, Purdue's sixth-leading scorer at 7.2 points per game, is dealing with the death of a close friend and that Stephens will be given as much time as he needs to heal.
Iowa: The Hawkeyes improved to 7-3 against teams ranked in the top 50 of the RPI. ... Iowa has won 13 straight at home. ... The Hawkeyes cruised despite being outrebounded 41-33.
STAT LINES
Standout Purdue freshman Caleb Swanigan appeared to tweak his ankle in the first half. He wound up playing 25 minutes but was just 2 of 9 from the floor. Painter said Swanigan's ankle was "fine" after the game. ... Peter Jok was 6 of 12 from the floor for Iowa, finishing with 13 points and three steals.
QUOTABLE
"They get their 3s in a variety of ways. Some off their actions. Some in transition, and then some strictly off matchups. Uthoff gets matchups on bigger people, and then he takes his 'horse' shots," Painter said, referencing Uthoff's ability to hit difficult jumpers.
UP NEXT
Purdue: hosts Minnesota on Wednesday.
Iowa: plays at Maryland on Thursday.
