Braden Smith, Purdue basketball power past Queens in March Madness
CJ Cox sparked a late first half run, helping Purdue basketball put away Queens in the NCAA Tournament Friday in St. Louis.
ST. LOUIS — Braden Smith made history, but Purdue basketball had to make sure it prolonged history. The Boilermakers drew some spirited fight from Queens before flexing their muscles against the West Region's No.
15 seed. March Madness continues for No. 2 seed Purdue and Smith has a chance to add to a record-breaking assists total after the Boilers beat Queens 104-71 in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center Friday night.
Smith vaulted ahead of Bobby Hurley on the NCAA's career assist list in the process. An early second half offensive flurry and some ratcheted up defense helped Purdue punch its ticket to the Round of 32. Purdue men's basketball: Complete Boilermaker coverage from the Journal & Courier Purdue basketball March Madness turning point vs.
Queens Queens didn't back down, relying on its lineup of shooters to stay within five points late in the first half. CJ Cox scored eight points during a 10-0 Boilermaker run over a 1:55 span. Cox's two 3-pointers and two free throws pushed Purdue's lead to 45-30 before a first half buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Chris Ashby.