Hot start fuels unbeaten Purdue basketball past Hofstra

Sam King, Lafayette Journal & Courier
·2 min read
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WEST LAFAYETTE - Make it nine in a row for the fourth-ranked Purdue Boilermakers.

Four players scored in double figures Wednesday night in a 85-66 victory over Hofstra at Mackey Arena.

The Boilermakers (9-0) played their second straight game without starter Mason Gillis, who is nursing a minor back injury. Against the Pride, Purdue didn't need him.

3 stars

Zach Edey, Purdue: Edey probably should just own a permanent spot here. It wasn't as impressive as Sunday's 31-point, 22-rebounds performance against Minnesota, but the 7-foot-4 junior has clearly put it all together this season. Still, it's hard to overlook 23 points and 18 rebounds.

Braden Smith, Purdue: The kid is simply fearless. He attacks the basket like a seasoned veteran, not like a 6-foot freshman. He's part of the Boilermakers' 1-2 freshman starting punch in the backcourt. On Wednesday night, he also showed off his shooting touch. Smith finished with 13 points and five rebounds and was 3 of 4 from beyond the arc.

Caleb Furst, Purdue: Easily could have gone with Hofstra's Amar'e Marshall here. The redshirt freshman came in averaging 7.2 points and scored 24. But, considering the final score, Furst gets the nod here and not just because Purdue's promotional department handed out "Elf" movie posters with Furst on them. The sophomore Fort Wayne native provided 12 points, six rebounds and two assists.

Purdue Boilermakers guard Ethan Morton (25) celebrates after making a shot during the NCAA men’s basketball game against the Hofstra Pride, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue Boilermakers guard Ethan Morton (25) celebrates after making a shot during the NCAA men’s basketball game against the Hofstra Pride, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind.

Key moment

Purdue was dominant early, sparked by Smith's hot hand. The freshman point guard from Westfield had eight points in the game's first 5:15 and helped the Boilermakers jump out to a 20-2 lead. Hofstra shot incredibly well after missing its first five shots, but still couldn't do much to dig into that early deficit.

Key stat

Second chance points. Hofstra had none. The Boilermakers had a 19-point advantage in that category. Check that final score. Those extra opportunities were a difference maker.

Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Hot start fuels unbeaten Purdue basketball past Hofstra