WEST LAFAYETTE – Robbie Hummel didnt have to do his usual damage for Purdue to overwhelm Illinois.
Hummel scored just five points, the first time hed failed to reach double figures all season, but the Boilermakers rolled past the Illini 75-60 on Saturday for their third straight victory.
Kelsey Barlow scored 14 points, including 11 in the second half, for the Boilermakers (12-3, 2-0 Big Ten). Ryne Smith added 12 points, all from three-point range, and Terone Johnson and D.J. Byrd had nine each. Johnson and Byrd led Purdues reserves, who combined for 36 points.
We got a lot of production and a lot of balance from our bench, Purdue coach Matt Painter said. If you can continue to do that, youre going to have a lot of success.
Brandon Paul scored 17 points and D.J. Richardson had 15 points and six rebounds for the Illini (12-3, 1-1), who have lost three of their last five games.
Paul and Richardson were just two threats to Purdue, but Painter said his focus was on Meyers Leonard too.
We know how dangerous those guys are, Painter said. We just wanted to make it hard for those three guys, as much as we could.
The Boilermakers limited Leonard to seven points and six rebounds.