WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Zach Edey had 18 points and eight rebounds, Lance Jones scored 11 of his 15 points in the second half and No. 3 Purdue rolled to its second straight rout on Friday night, 87-57 over Morehead State.
The Boilermakers (2-0) broke the school record for most consecutive regular-season wins against non-conference opponents with their 26th in a row. The previous mark stood since November 1994. Purdue's streak, the longest active one in Division I, began following a loss at Miami in December 2020.
Riley Minix led the defending Ohio Valley Conference regular-season champions with 18 points. Jordan Lathon had 12 for the Eagles (1-2), whose two losses have come to Alabama and Purdue.
Morehead State's biggest problem Friday — finding an early answer for the 7-foot-4 Edey, who started fast by dominating inside. Again.
He spurred Purdue's opening 15-0 run with four points, four rebounds and all three assists in the first five minutes. And though the Eagles cut the deficit to 26-17 midway through the first half and were still within 42-29 at halftime, Jones made sure they never had a chance in the second half.
Kalil Thomas made a 3-pointer to start the second half, making it a 10-point game, but then Edey's supporting cast took the cue. Jones scored eight points in a 15-5 spurt that gave Purdue a 57-37 cushion.
Braden Smith had 11 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds for the Boilermakers.
BIG PICTURE
Morehead State: There's a reason the Eagles were a near-unanimous favorite to win their second straight league crown. But with only one player taller than 6-foot-8 to match up with Edey, they had no chance against Purdue.
Purdue: Beating Samford and Morehead State may not look impressive on paper. Yet both are coming off league titles and could contend again this season, so it might be a better start than some think.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Two blowout wins to open the season should be enough to keep the Boilermakers among the top five in an 18th consecutive AP poll.
UP NEXT
Morehead State: Returns home to face Mercer on Tuesday.
Purdue: Will host Xavier on Monday night.
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AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
