Boilers break losing streak

By Paul Trembacki
Sports Editor

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Finally.

Finally Purdue started well.

Finally the Boilers outrebounded their opponent.

Finally Purdue's post players made the other team work inside for points.

And most importantly, Purdue finally won a game, snapping a six-game skid with a 78-59 win over Michigan Saturday in a sparsely populated Crisler Arena.

After losing six straight, mainly as a result of horrible starts, poor rebounding and poor post play, the Boilers (14-12, 6-9 Big Ten) resisted all three and got their first win since Jan. 28.

"It's definitely nice to get a win," said senior Carson Cunningham, who, along with Joe Marshall, led Purdue with 17 points.

"We've been trying and coming close. This is big for us. We need to build on it and learn from this game and try to improve."

Purdue coach Gene Keady was proud of Cunningham and said it was amazing that his only other six-game losing streak at Purdue — during the 1981-82 season — also ended with a win at Michigan.

"We're learning how to play and it was fun to see our kids execute," Keady said.

The Boilers executed from the beginning as Kenneth Lowe scored 12 of Purdue's first 15 points and the Boilers began the game with a 15-6 advantage. Michigan (10-15, 4-10) never recovered.

"My teammates were looking for me a lot and I'd really like to thank them for that because they were getting me open looks," said Lowe, who finished with 16 points, five rebounds and four assists.

The key for the Boilers was the combined effort of all five of the Boilers' perimeter shooters — Cunningham, Lowe, Marshall, Maynard Lewis and Willie Deane. All five scored in double figures.

"It was very unusual; I don't think we've ever had that before so that's great," Keady said. "We've always believed in a flexible offense where everybody has an equal opportunity so that worked out great."

Keady was particularly impressed with Marshall, who sat out most of practice Thursday and Friday with a sore ankle.

"He didn't even mention (the ankle) so he showed a lot of courage today," Keady said.

Marshall, who had his ankle taped so he could play, said the Boilers are tough to beat when everyone's playing well.

"If me, Willie, Maynard and Kenny can click at the same time we can get a big win because Carson's going to play his butt off every game," Marshall said. "If we can come out and get Carson some help we can get the results that we got today."

The five perimeter shooters combined for 71 of Purdue's 78 points and 23 of Purdue's 38 rebounds.

"Our kids were hustling for loose balls," Keady said. "We've been working on that in practice the last two or three weeks."

Keady used a four-guard lineup and the Boilers had very few bursts of poor play and held the lead for the entire game.

"They're a tough team to play in that situation," said Michigan coach Brian Ellerbe, whose team never got closer than six points away. "When we play bigger teams we match up much better."

After cutting Purdue's advantage to 11 several times in the second half, Michigan tried to get back in the game by fouling, but the Boilers were perfect at the free throw line.

Purdue made all 25 of its free throw attempts, tying a school record for most attempts without a miss. The Boilers also went 25 for 25 against Wisconsin Feb. 7, 1976.

Marshall, a 53.6 percent free throw shooter, made all eight of his attempts.

"I wasn't aware we hadn't missed any free throws," Marshall said. "We were just trying to win the game."

With the win — Purdue's largest since an 80-60 win over Michigan Jan. 3 — the Boilers assured themselves of finishing with at least as many wins as losses and qualified for the NIT.

But immediately after walking out of the locker room after Saturday's game, Marshall realized what's ahead — the Boilers' regular season finale with Indiana (17-11, 8-6) at 8 p.m. Saturday in Mackey Arena.

"We've got to say we're black and gold, we don't let red and white come in here, so we've got to get this win," Marshall said. "The team needs to stick together more than ever this week."

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Sports editor:
Paul Trembacki

Assistant sports editor:
Anne McLaren

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