PHOTO GALLERY: The Best Photos from Purdue's Win at Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS — The No. 3-ranked Purdue basketball team is off to its best start in program history, sitting at 18-1 and 7-1 in Big Ten play after a 61-39 win on the road Thursday night over Minnesota at Williams Arena.
The Boilermakers scored 28 points in the paint during the first half as junior center Zach Edey dominated underneath the basket. He scored 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting but only attempted one shot attempt after halftime.
Freshman point guard Braden Smith did it all for Purdue, leading all scorers with 19 points and recording a team-high seven assists while adding seven rebounds. He was 8-of-13 from the field and 3-of-5 from the 3-point line.
Freshman forward Joshua Ola-Joseph was the only player in double figures for the Golden Gophers, who shot just 31.5 percent from the field. He scored 13 points on 6-of-11 shooting.
The Boilermakers made just one 3-pointer in the first half but finished the game 7-of-16 from deep, good for 43.8 percent. The team will be back in action on Sunday, Jan. 22, for a home matchup against Maryland at Mackey Arena.
Photo Gallery: No. 3 Purdue 61, Minnesota 39
Mason Gillis
Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Ta'lon Cooper (55) steals the ball from Purdue Boilermakers forward Mason Gillis (0).
Fletcher Loyer
Purdue Boilermakers guard Fletcher Loyer (2) shoots over Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Dawson Garcia (3).
David Jenkins Jr.
Purdue Boilermakers guard David Jenkins Jr. (14) drives against the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Brandon Newman
Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Ta'lon Cooper (55) is guarded by Purdue Boilermakers guard Brandon Newman (5).
Braden Smith
Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) is guarded by Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Taurus Samuels (0).
Matt Painter
Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter calls to his team in the second half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Williams Arena.
Zach Edey
Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) guards Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Pharrel Payne (21).
Mason Gillis
Purdue Boilermakers forward Mason Gillis (0) guards Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Taurus Samuels (0).
Braden Smith
Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) advances the ball in the second half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Williams Arena.
Zach Edey
Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) blocks a shot by Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Jaden Henley (24).
Caleb Furst
Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Furst (1) celebrates in front of Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach Ben Johnson after a foul is called.
Matt Painter
Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter signals to players in the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Williams Arena.
Zach Edey
Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Joshua Ola-Joseph (1) drives on Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15).
Ben Johnson
Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach Ben Johnson watches as Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) dribbles the ball in the second half at Williams Arena.
Williams Arena
The Purdue Boilermakers stand during the playing of the national anthem before the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Williams Arena.
Related stories on Purdue basketball
- Purdue Cruises to 61-39 Win at Minnesota: Purdue led by as many as 29 points on the road against Minnesota, improving to 18-1 for the first time in program history after Thursday night's win. Freshman guard Braden Smith led the way with 19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. CLICK HERE
- Purdue, Minnesota Live Blog: No. 3 Purdue basketball was on the road for a matchup with Minnesota on Thursday night at Williams Arena. Relive some of the action from our live blog. CLICK HERE
- Fletcher Loyer Named Big Ten Co-Player, Freshman of the Week: Purdue guard Fletcher Loyer scored a career-high 27 points and set a program freshman record with six 3-pointers in a 73-55 victory against Nebraska last Friday. CLICK HERE
- Zach Edey Delivers Game-Winner Against Michigan State: Purdue junior center Zach Edey scored a career-high 32 points on 13-of-26 shooting to lead the team in a 64-63 win over Michigan State on the road. CLICK HERE
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D.J. Fezler is a staff writer for BoilermakersCountry.com. Hailing from The Region, he is from Cedar Lake in Northwest Indiana and has spent the last two years covering Purdue football and basketball.