Michigan State University
Purdue
Spartans Defeated By Purdue, 72-60
1/14/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By DAN GELSTON
Associated Press Writer
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Willie Deane scored 12 of his 18 points in a rousing first half, and Brett Buscher added 12 as Purdue beat Michigan State 72-60 Tuesday for its season-high fifth straight win.
The Boilermakers (10-3, 2-0 Big Ten) took control early in the first half, building a 16-point lead and never losing it. They improved to 9-0 at home in front of a small but wildly enthusiastic crowd.
The Spartans (9-6, 1-2) nearly wiped out their deficit with a 16-5 run to open the second half, taking advantage of Purdue's disappearing inside game. They sneaked behind Purdue's defense for some easy dunks and pulled to 44-42 after Maurice Ager's 3-pointer with 11:20 remaining.
Purdue's David Teague, however, answered with his own 3 to start a 13-7 run.
The Spartans still wouldn't go away, as Chris Hill's 3-pointer made it 61-58 with 1:10 left.
Brandon McKnight, a 60 percent free-throw shooter, made four free throws and Chris Booker, who scored 12, sank three in the closing minute to seal the win.
Ager led Michigan State with 10 points.
In a stunning start, the Boilermakers had a first half unlike any other the last three years. Led by Deane, who nearly had a double-double in the half, Purdue made 14 of its first 22 shots and raced to a 33-17 lead.
The game started promising for Purdue as it had steals on Michigan State's first two possessions. The Boilermakers went ahead for good when McKnight fed Buscher down the lane for a dunk.
Deane added assists on two straight possessions, including a beautiful bounce pass to Booker under the basket. Then Deane made two straight baskets for a 21-11 lead 12 minutes into the half.
The first of those baskets came when Deane grabbed an offensive rebound and pulled up for short jumper. He went over the 1,000 career point mark and is 39th on Purdue's career scoring list. He also added 11 rebounds.
The Spartans were never a factor in the first half, leaving coach Tom Izzo to shake his head as he looked at the scoreboard near the end of the half. They shot only 31 percent, turned the ball over nine times and trailed 39-26 at halftime.
