Nov. 26, 2010
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. (AP) -E'Twaun Moore scored 31 points and JaJuan Johnson added 18 points as No. 10 Purdue reached the finals of the Chicago Invitational Challenge with a 79-60 victory over Southern Illinois on Friday night.
The Boilermakers (5-0) hit just 1 of their first 13 shots while the Salukis opened a 13-7 lead. But Purdue used a 15-2 run over the final 3:55 of the first half to take a 36-28 lead into the break.
Purdue will meet Richmond (5-1) in Saturday's final while Southern Illinois plays Wright State (3-2) for third.
Justin Bocut scored 18 points for the Salukis (2-3) while guard John Freeman had 15 points and forward Carlson Fay added 10 points.
Purdue maintained a steady second half advantage over Southern Illinois, never letting its lead fall below seven points. Purdue's lead grew to 20 points with about 6 minutes to go.
Southern Illinois, meeting Purdue for only the third time ever, substituted liberally as it opened a 13-7 lead at the 11:40 mark and led a 26-21 with less than 5 minutes remaining.
After its poor shooting start, the Boilermakers hit eight of their next 10 from the field and went 16 of 20 from the free throw line for the half.
Purdue took its first lead with 2:54 left in the half as D.J. Byrd's 3 pointer gave the Boilermakers a 28-26 edge.
Freeman topped the Salukis with 11 first half points. Moore had 11 points and five rebounds for the Boilermakers while Byrd added nine points.