Purdue 67, Indiana 53

E’Twaun Moore, Lewis Jackson, JaJuan Johnson post-game conference- IU
THE STORY: A hard-working Indiana team didn’t make it easy on No. 14 Purdue in Mackey Arena, but the Boilers (19-5, 8-3 Big Ten) held on with just enough key plays at both ends of the floor down the stretch. The game really was never in doubt (the closest IU got was four after halftime). But the high-intensity Hoosiers (12-13, 3-9 Big Ten) didn’t quit, actually playing with more effort than the home team at times. Ultimately, the Boilers’ athleticism and talent took over to ice it.

TURNING POINT: D.J. Byrd’s 3-pointer with 7:48 left, a shot that answered a wide open 3-pointer nailed by Will Sheehey moments earlier. The long-range basket stretched Purdue’s lead back to 52-41.

GAME BALL: Goes to E’Twaun Moore. Calls didn’t often go his way on the offensive end, but he still led the team with 25 points on 7 of 15 shooting. He also had eight rebounds.

SPORTSCENTER MOMENT: Kelsey Barlow found Moore in the open floor, delivering a bounce pass past the Indiana defense. Moore gathered it in and threw down a polite two-handed jam to make it 38-30 with 16:12 left. … Also, Purdue’s eight blocks were all nice.

WHAT IT MEANS: Not a whole lot, except for the fact that the Indiana-Purdue rematch will be a dogfight in Bloomington, Ind., in two weeks. The Boilers are in sole possession of second place momentarily in the Big Ten standings, but they’re still chasing unbeaten Ohio State. The Hoosiers are playing better, but still hoping for an NIT berth.

GETTING CRITICAL: The Boilers need to find a way to stop wasting possessions on offense. They don’t necessarily turn the ball over a ton, but far too often, players are firing up contested or rushed shots early in the possessions – looks that are available at any time. That’s why Purdue has scoring droughts against athletic defenses. They’re not patient enough consistently. Run the offense.

ODDS AND EDDS: IU coach Tom Crean is a maniac on the sideline, rapidly pacing back and forth within his coaching box. Dude can coach. But during the game, he looks like a hyper 10-year-old who’s consumed roughly the same amount of sugar it would take to make pitchers of Kool-Aid for the entire arena. Chill. Out. … Watch the replay of Victor Oladipo’s spinning lay-up early in the second half. JaJuan Johnson literally scratches his head after the ball falls through the net. Come on, JJ?!?! Perhaps moving your feet there, instead of watching. … Anybody else want to send Brent Musburger a thank-you note for the ridiculously awkward moment when he asks play-by-play man Dan Dakich (former interim coach at IU) how E-Twaun, JJ and Robbie Hummel all ended up at Purdue? Ouch. Boiler Up!