Harris Leads Purdue Past Ohio With 23 Points

Purdue improved to 2-2 with an 80-62 home win over Ohio on November 13. Guard Gicarri Harris led the Boilermakers, scoring 23 points, including 15 after halftime. He also had five rebounds and four assists, and made 8 of 12 shots overall.

Purdue took a 23-11 lead early, but its shooting cooled before the break. After making eight of its first 15 attempts, the team hit only four of its next 19. The Boilermakers went to halftime ahead 37-28, despite shooting 35% in the first half; Ohio’s nine turnovers helped Purdue score 13 points.

The lead was 43-36 early in the second half before Purdue’s defense limited Ohio to one field goal over a six-minute stretch. That helped push the margin to 56-41 with 9½ minutes left. Ohio cut it to 61-51, but Purdue pulled away. The Boilermakers shot 54% in the second half, and Harris made five of six shots, including all three of his 3-pointers.

Antione West Jr. scored 17 points for Purdue, and C.J. Cox added 16. Daniel Jacobsen had nine points, eight rebounds and three blocks. Ohio, now 2-1, was led by Jackson Paveletzke with 16 points; Javan Simmons scored 12 and Siebe Ledegen had 10.

Purdue next hosts Lipscomb on Tuesday. Ohio is scheduled to play Morehead State on Wednesday.