2 days Ago By Field Level Media
Stevie Mitchell scored a season-high 21 points and Kam Jones added a triple-double as No. 15 Marquette pulled away in the second half for a 76-58 victory over sixth-ranked Purdue in a nonconference matchup of undefeated teams on Tuesday night in Milwaukee. Jones had 17 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for Marquette (5-0).
Chase Ross added 12 points and Ben Gold 11. Purdue (4-1), which trailed 35-28 at halftime, made several runs but was unable to make it a one-possession game down the stretch. Trey Kaufman-Renn hit the second of two free throws to pull the Boilermakers within 55-49 with 8:14 remaining, but Marquette answered with an 8-0 run.
Mitchell's layup put the Golden Eagles up 63-49 as Purdue went scoreless for almost four minutes. Jones hit consecutive baskets underneath to put Marquette in front 69-53 with just under two minutes left. Kaufman-Renn had 16 points and Fletcher Loyer 13 for Purdue.
The Boilermakers committed 15 turnovers to just six for Marquette, which had an 18-8 edge in points off turnovers. The Golden Eagles also had a 38-22 edge in points in the paint. Purdue, coming off an 87-78 win over then second-ranked Alabama on Friday, was playing on the road for the first time after opening with four home games.
Purdue scored the first four of the second half, pulling within 35-32 on a putback by Kaufman-Renn, but the Golden Eagles answered with a 6-2 run to go in front 41-34. Ross' 3-pointer put Marquette up 31-21 with 4:25 left in the first half. Ross' breakaway dunk pushed the lead back to 35-25, but Purdue closed within 35-28 at the break as the Golden Eagles failed to score over the final 2:18.
--Field Level Media.
