Freshman Jack Benter came off the bench to make six 3-pointers, finishing with a career-high 20 points, while Fletcher Loyer added 19 points to lead No. 5 Purdue to a dominant 101-60 victory over Kent State on Monday night. Trey Kaufman-Renn recorded a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Braden Smith contributed 12 points and eight assists for the Boilermakers (12-1) in their nonconference finale. Reserve Daniel Jacobsen converted all seven of his free throw attempts, scoring 11 points as Purdue finished 17 of 19 from the free throw line.
Morgan Safford and Jahari Williamson each scored 10 points for the Golden Flashes (10-3). Delrecco Gillespie, who entered the game leading the nation in rebounding with an average of 12.6 and scoring 19.3 points per game, was limited to just nine points and four rebounds. The Boilermakers shot 56% from the field, including 39% (12 of 31) from beyond the arc. In contrast, the Golden Flashes shot 34% overall and were 7 for 27 from three-point range.
Purdue had a 40-28 advantage in rebounding and outscored Kent State 45-21 in points off the bench. The Boilermakers committed only eight turnovers, compared to 15 for the Golden Flashes. Purdue’s lead extended to as much as 48 points at 94-46 with 6:03 left in the game, prompting the team to utilize more of its bench players. Loyer scored 12 points, and Kaufman-Renn contributed 11 points in the first half, allowing the Boilermakers to lead 51-27 at halftime.
Gillespie picked up three fouls during the first half, restricting him to just three points and two rebounds. In the opening half, Purdue shot 59% while limiting Kent State to 33% shooting.
**Next Up** Kent State: Hosts Northern Illinois on Saturday. Purdue: Travels to Wisconsin on Saturday.
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