Purdue completes pool play sweep with rout of Estonia
GoldandBlack.com
Analysis ($): Purdue-Estonia
Purdue finished 5-0 in Pool C at the World University Games without breaking much of a sweat, so to speak.
The Boilermakers' 101-61 win over Estonia early Friday morning was their fifth one-sided win in as many outings in advance of the event's medal round.
Vincent Edwards led Purdue with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Carsen Edwards added 16.
It was a one-sided game from the outset as Purdue jumped out to a 12-2 lead on its way to being up 23-5 and leading 33-12 after the first quarter, thanks largely to some continued hot shooting from Dakota Mathias and Ryan Cline and an early-game surge from Carsen Edwards.
"I thought we played unselfish and shot the ball well," point guard P.J. Thompson said. "We have a lot of people that can shoot the ball at a high level and when we take shots in our own rhythm, we are likely to shoot a good percentage."
The Boilermakers endured second-quarter defensive lapses, though, drawing Matt Painter's ire from the sideline, though the outcome was never in question.
"It doesn't matter who you're playing, you have to limit those runs," assistant coach Greg Gary said, "because sooner or later, it's going to come back and bite you.
"They're experienced guys and should be able to bounce back and respond, but (Painter's words were) needed. We're playing for something bigger and when you're up by so many, you can't play against the score. It's human nature to do that, but you can't do it against what we're about to go up against."
Thompson said there might be some positive to come from Painter's spiel.
"He gave it to us a little bit in that huddle and we deserved it because we started to play sloppy and lazy," Thompson said. "That was a focus of ours to play hard when we got up and stick to what got us the lead because in the past we have had these lapses that allowed the team to stick around."
Big man Jacquil Taylor grabbed 14 rebounds, continuing his strong play in Taipei and in advance of the trip.
"He's playing with energy and rebounding," Gary said. "That's what he has to do: Rebound, defend and run."
Purdue will return to action in the event's quarterfinals Sunday against an opponent to be determined.
"I expect these to be high-level games," Thompson said. "I talked to Coach (Steve) Lutz and he told me to relay the message to the guys that if we don't come to play,we can get beat on any given night. These teams are physical, play together, skilled and some guys are pros. Should be like playing in the Big Ten."
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