PHOTO GALLERY: The Best Pictures From Purdue's Game With Rutgers on Friday
CHICAGO — Purdue and Rutgers have turned into hefty rivals the past couple of years, and there was plenty of intensity on the floor on Friday when the two teams met in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament at the United Center.
Purdue, the Big Ten regular-season champions and No. 1 seed in this week's event, won 70-65 but it wasn't easy. Rutgers, who beat Michigan in the second round on Thursday to advance, gave the Boilers all they could handle before pulling away down the stretch.
That was no surprise, because the Scarlet Knights have been a thorn in their side for two years now. When Purdue was ranked No. 1 last year for the first time ever, it was Rutgers who beat them the next game. Then they did it again this year, upsetting No. 1 Purdue at Mackey Arena in early January.
Purdue got a huge lift from forward Mason Gillis, who scored 20 points and had nine rebounds. David Jenkins Jr. was big off the bench, too, hitting three straight three-pointers and scoring 12 points. Big Ten Player of the Year Zach Edey had 16 points and 11 rebounds
Purdue advances to the semifinals, where it will play the winner of Michigan State and Ohio State. The semifinal game is at 1 p.m. ET, and will be televised on CBS.
Related stories on Purdue basketball
- GAME STORY: Here's the game story on Purdue's 70-65 victory over Rutgers on Friday in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament. CLICK HERE
- LIVE BLOG: Relive all the play-by-play from Purdue's game with Rutgers in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago with D.J. Fezler's live blog, which gives you all the news and views in real time straight from press row. CLICK HERE
- TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE: Here is the complete five-day schedule for the Big Ten Tournament, with results of games played so far, and TV information, game times and point spreads for the remaining games. It's updated after every game. CLICK HERE
- BIG TEN ROUNDUP (March 9): It was another day of upsets on Thursday at the Big Ten Tournament, with Rutgers, Ohio State and Penn State all winning as lower seeds. Maryland became the first higher seed to win in the last game, and gets Indiana next. CLICK HERE
Mason Gillis
Purdue Boilermakers forward Mason Gillis (0) is defended by Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Caleb McConnell (22) during the first half Friday at the United Center in Chicago.
Zach Edey
Zach Edey (15) looks to pass the ball away from Rutgers Scarlet Knights center Clifford Omoruyi (11) during the first half at the United Center.
Zach Edey
Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Caleb McConnell (22) defends against Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) during the first half at the United Center.
Zach Edey
Scarlet Knights guard Paul Mulcahy (4) looks to pass the ball away from Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) during the first half at the United Center.
Zach Edey
Clifford Omoruyi (11) defends against Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) during the first half at the United Center.
Brandon Newman
Clifford Omoruyi (11) scores against Purdue Boilermakers guard Brandon Newman (5) during the first half at the United Center.
Trey Kaufman-Renn
Rutgers Scarlet Knights center Clifford Omoruyi (11) defends against Purdue Boilermakers forward Trey Kaufman-Renn (4) during the first half at the United Center.
David Jenkins Jr.
David Jenkins Jr. (14) reacts after scoring against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first half at United Center.
Coach Matt Painter and Mason Gillis
Coach Matt Painter talks to Purdue Boilermakers forward Mason Gillis (0) during the Big Ten Tournament game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
Coach Matt Painter
Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter yells down court during the Big Ten Tournament game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights,
Zach Edey and Brandon Newman
Zach Edey (15) high-fives Purdue Boilermakers guard Brandon Newman (5) during the Big Ten Tournament game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
Braden Smith
Rutgers guard Jalen Miller (2) defends Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) during the Big Ten Tournament game on Friday at the United Center in Chicago.
Zach Edey
Zach Edey (15) reacts to a play during the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal game against Rutgers on Friday at the United Center in Chicago.
Mason Gillis
Purdue forward Mason Gillis (0) looks up to the basket during an offensive possession against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Friday in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament.
Zach Edey
Purdue center Zach Edey (15) dunks against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half of their Big Ten Tournament game at the United Center in Chicago.
Becky Rigel is Director of Marketing for BoilermakersCountry.com and all Hilltop30 Publishing Group entities. She is a Southern Indiana native.