IU center uses height to defeat Boilermakers

By Anne McLaren
Assistant Sports Editor

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Containing Indiana's Kirk Haston proved to be too difficult for a much shorter Purdue team in the Boilers' 66-55 loss in Assembly Hall Tuesday night.

"Kirk Haston can make you look good offensively because he can score with the basketball," said Indiana coach Mike Davis.

The 6-foot-10 Haston scored 24 points, pulled down 15 rebounds and blocked four shots for the Hoosiers (12-8, 3-3 Big Ten). Sixteen of his points and nine of his boards came in the second half, where Indiana outscored Purdue 36-32.

Purdue (12-6, 4-3) coach Gene Keady said Haston was the difference in the game.

"He had 24 points; he played well," said Keady. "(He) hit the free throws better than he did in the past."

Haston hit 8 of 9 free throw attempts and 8 of 14 shot attempts. He entered the game averaging 17.3 points per game and 8.7 rebounds per game.

"Haston stepped up for us and hit some big shots," said Davis.

Freshman Brett Buscher (6-8), who was Purdue's tallest player on the floor at times, said it was difficult to contain Haston.

"He's a tough player," said Buscher. "He crashes the boards hard so it's very tough to be fundamental and block him out every time. He's one of the best players in the league."

Davis agreed. He called Haston "money."

"I'm definitely going to say that because he's my guy," said Davis.

Even with Haston's big game, Rodney Smith thought the Boilers did a "pretty good job" defending Haston.

"He made some good shots it seemed," said Smith, Purdue's leading scorer who was held to nine points in the contest. "He's a good player, so don't take anything away from him."

The Boilers have one more shot at defending Haston this season, when the teams meet at Mackey on either March 3 or 4, depending on what TV station carries the game.

The best way to try to contain Haston, Buscher said, is to "just don't go for his shot fakes and try to make him hit tough shots. That's the only thing you can do."

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Sports editor:
Paul Trembacki

Assistant sports editor:
Anne McLaren

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