IU basketball: Purdue 79 Indiana 59 — Three keys, highlights, final stats

WEST LAFAYETTE — Indiana lost to Purdue at Mackey Arena on Saturday evening by a final score of 79-59.

Purdue led at the half 37-25. Indiana was led in the game by C.J. Gunn with 13 points.

The three keys to the game, highlights and expanded stats are below.

Indiana (14-10, 6-7) returns to action next Sunday when they host Northwestern.

THREE KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Shooting funk. Indiana opened the game by making their first four shots. But the offense went ice cold from there. The Hoosiers made just 11 of their next 39 shots (28 percent), and by that point they were down by 26. The Hoosiers missed their first seven 3-pointers, and finished just 4-of-16 from long range. To further compound their struggles, IU only made 9-of-15 from the free throw line.

2. Reneau has an off night. Purdue was intent on taking away Malik Reneau, and they succeeded. The sophomore forward made just 3-of-11 shots and committed three turnovers. He fouled out and played just 23 minutes. Beyond the Iowa game he left with an injury, Reneau’s six points matched a season low. He averaged just seven points in the two games against Purdue.

3. Where was Ware? IU coach Mike Woodson benched Kel’el Ware with two fouls with 6:13 left in the half and Indiana down just 22-18. Braden Smith made two quick shots at the rim where he would have been right after he left the game. Ware sat for the rest of the half and Purdue closed on a 15-7 run to close the first.

HIGHLIGHTS