Boilers top Badgers

By Paul Trembacki
Sports Editor

Carson Cunningham wasn't about to let his team lose to the Badgers for a fourth straight time.

With less than a minute to go in Purdue's 73-67 win and Purdue clinging to a 66-64 lead over No. 17 Wisconsin, Cunningham saw that the called play wasn't going to work.

"Low 1-4," the senior point guard called out, setting himself up for a drive to the hoop.

As the senior got the ball at the top of the key, the shot clock hit seven and he began his drive to the basket.

"I just tried some good old-fashioned veteran moves that I've been doing since my YMCA days when I was about eight," Cunningham said. "And it worked."

Not only that, but Cunningham was fouled and made the free throw, giving the Boilers a 69-64 with 50 seconds left.

"It was cool; it was about time I stepped up and hit a shot," said Cunningham, who finished with eight points and four assists.

After the shot Cunningham and co-captain Rodney Smith embraced.

"That shot was big-time for Carson," said Smith, who led the Boilers with 19 points and six rebounds. "He's a senior and this is for him."

Clutch free throws by Willie Deane, who broke out of his mini-slump by accumulating 11 points and four steals, helped the Boilers (11-3, 3-0 Big Ten) hold on and beat Wisconsin (10-3, 1-2) in Mackey Arena for the 27th consecutive time.

"I just cleared my mind and breathed before the shots," said Deane, who hit three of four free throws after one by John Allison to account for Purdue's final four points.

Purdue coach Gene Keady, who improved to 31-8 in his career against Wisconsin, said his team never gives up in practice or in games.

"It seems like we're getting better and everything's going well," Keady said. "I couldn't be prouder of them."

Cunningham said home wins are to be expected.

"It really felt like we have to win here and it was about time we made a statement about playing at home," Cunningham said.

Purdue, led by Smith, made its statement right after Wisconsin's Roy Boone, who led all scorers with 22 points, made a basket that put Wisconsin up 32-30.

Smith, who had just two points in the first half, made a 3-pointer and scored Purdue's next seven points. Smith's personal 10-2 run gave the Boilers a 40-34 lead.

"We didn’t let down," Smith said. "We knew that we could make those shots."

Shots are always hard to come by when the Boilers and Badgers meet. Purdue and Wisconsin met four times last season, including in the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament in Albuquerque, N.M., when Wisconsin ended Purdue's season with a 64-60 win. The teams don't like each other and that was apparent Wednesday.

With 3:55 left in the first half Wednesday, Purdue players and Wisconsin players got into a minor scuffle after Badger Ricky Bower fouled Purdue's Kenneth Lowe. There was some pushing and shoving and Cunningham was hit with a technical foul for shoving a Badger in the back.

"I haven't been T-ed up at Purdue yet," Cunningham said. "Now that we won I feel kind of good about that."

Cunningham, who on Monday had the team wear war paint during practice, wore a fatigue T-shirt underneath his game jersey Wednesday. It was no coincidence.

There were a total of 49 fouls called in the game as the crowd 13,735 had plenty to cheer and boo about.

"Physically that game was at a different level than anything we've played all year," Cunningham said.

As Purdue prepares Saturday's 2:30 p.m. game with Iowa (12-2, 1-0), Cunningham said he hopes the team isn't too overconfident.

"We feel like we should win this type of game," Cunningham said. "But it's definitely a great boost for our confidence."

Smith proves unstoppable in second half

Players should earn degree before NFL

Boilers top Badgers

SPORTS DESK PHONE:
(765) 743-1111 ext. 251

Sports editor:
Paul Trembacki

Assistant sports editor:
Anne McLaren

To send a letter to the editor, please email opinions@purdueexponent.org