Lance Jones, Braden Smith help No. 3 Purdue roll past Morehead State

The season-opening victory over Samford featured a barrage of 3-pointers as third-ranked Purdue was relentless from the perimeter in its first win. 

Four days later, the 3-pointers dropped early but disappeared and the Boilermakers took a different route to victory No. 2.

Although Friday night featured another fast start, Purdue used its halfcourt offense and defense to maintain a double-digit lead before putting away Morehead State 87-57 in front of a sold-out crowd at Mackey Arena.

PDF: Purdue-Morehead State

More: Analysis | Wrap Video | Stat Blast | Final Thoughts | Podcast

While the Boilermakers went cold from 3-point range during a 15-minute stretch carrying over to the second half, they leaned on Braden Smith’s playmaking skills at point guard and Zach Edey’s presence inside to keep the Eagles from seriously thinking about an upset.

And then, the 3-pointers returned. Two from Lance Jones early in the second half stretched the lead and a nearly 30-footer from the Southern Illinois transfer raised the decibel level inside Mackey Arena.

After missing seven straight from beyond the arc, the Boilermakers – or should we say Jones – hit 3 of 4 during a four-minute span, and the lead grew to 64-38 with 13:12 to play.

Purdue didn’t match its 3-point total from the opener when it made 16. However, the ones on Friday night were timely and created enough separation to bury the Eagles, who lost to Alabama in their opener, a team the Boilermakers play in December.

Edey finished with 18 points, including 8 of 9 from the line, and added eight rebounds. Jones scored 11 of his 15 points in the second half, but the glue to this victory was Smith.

The sophomore’s stat line was impressive with 11 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds as the Boilermakers turn their attention to Monday’s matchup against Xavier. Smith had seven assists and seven rebounds after halftime.

Riley Minix, who transferred from an NAIA program, kept Purdue from running away in the first half, scoring 16 of his 18 points for Morehead State.

Purdue played Friday’s game without Ethan Morton, who was ill.

CAREER NIGHT

Sitting with eight rebounds, Smith was miffed Matt Painter removed him with 4:45 to play.

He was two rebounds shy of a triple-double, which isn’t anything new for Smith, who once put together a quadruple-double before arriving at Purdue.

“I’ve been there before,” Smith said. “I wanted to get this one and unfortunately, Paint took me out.”

Painter was unaware of Smith’s quest for a triple-double until his point guard walked off the court to the bench for the final time.

“I was not. Sometimes, I am. Until he said that, I did not realize that,” Painter said.

It was easy to notice Smith’s overall floor game, especially in the second half when the Boilermakers throttled the Eagles. The double-digit assists are a career high, and six different teammates benefitted from his court awareness and passing skills.

“He’s a baller,” Morehead State coach Preston Spradlin said. “Just a sophomore? Really good player. Elite in ball screens and can score it. Toughness, he’s got good size. They have great balance across the board.”

Purdue scored 26 points off Smith’s 11 assists, including four 3-pointers. He’s the first Boilermaker with a points-assists double-double since Lewis Jackson in March 2012.

 “I’m just playing a role and trying to get these guys the ball,” said Smith, whose previous career high was nine assists against Penn State last season. “I feel like that’s my job, and I feel like what this team needs, finding Lance on a 3, Fletch on a 3, or Zach on a dive.”

Smith had three assists to Jones and two to Edey, Mason Gillis and Caleb Furst.  

“I’ve played with him for a year and just the way he sees the floor, you expect those no-look passes by now,” said Edey, who added three assists. “The way he commands the floor and how he sees everything. As soon as you’re open, you’re going to get the ball from him.”

JONES FINDS RHYTHM

Purdue’s newcomer was 0 of 4 from 3-point range in Monday’s opener.

Jones was headed in that same direction after a 0-for-2 first half, but he made it up with his defensive presence in the full court. But Jones found his stroke after halftime, burying three 3-pointers.

“Over the past couple of days, I’ve been in my head about my shooting,” Jones said. “I’ve been hard on myself, but PJ (Thompson) has the ultimate confidence in me. He tells me to shoot with confidence. I let it ride tonight.”

Spradlin, whose team trailed by 13 at halftime, was more impressed with Jones’ defensive intensity and how the 6-foot-1 guard hounded his ballhandlers.

“He’s a heck of a player,” Spradlin said. “He can really guard that ball.”

ANOTHER FAST START

Against Samford, Purdue led 11-0.

On Friday night, the Boilermakers were ahead 15-0 during the first five minutes.

Neither opponent recovered after the quick ambush.

“For an opposing team, that definitely sucks. ‘Oh well, the ball is not going in and all their shots are,’ ” Smith said. “It’s just something as an opposing team you wouldn’t want. That’s what we’ve worked on this year trying to get that early lead, an early huge head start.”