Vanderbilt handles Purdue 81-71
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Riley LaChance scored a career-high 26 points, leading Vanderbilt to an 81-71 win over Purdue on Saturday.
LaChance hit 9 of 13 from the floor, including three 3-pointers. His last 3-pointer came from 37 feet to give Vanderbilt a 72-58 lead as Purdue was mounting a comeback.
It was the most points by a Vanderbilt freshman since A.J. Ogilvy scored 27 against Auburn in 2008.
Vanderbilt (6-2) ended a four-game losing streak against the Big Ten, earning its first win since an NIT victory over Indiana in 2005.
It was Vanderbilt's first game in nine days after taking time off for final exams.
Vanderbilt's Damian Jones added 15 points and James Siakam had 12.
It was the first road game for the Boilermakers (8-3), who are 6-1 at home and 2-1 on neutral courts.
Purdue is 6-16 on the road during the last two seasons.
It was the first meeting between the schools since Vanderbilt beat Purdue in 1965.
Rapheal Davis led three Boilermakers in double figures with 15 points. Isaac Haas added 13 and Kendall Stephens had 11.
The Commodores hit 9 of 14 from beyond the 3-point arc.
Vanderbilt made a 15-3 run early in the second half to stretch its lead to 60-40. Purdue coach Matt Painter called a timeout after Matthew Fisher-Davis' 3-pointer gave the Commodores a 20-point lead.
Jones scored the Commodores' first six points on a layup, jumper and dunk.
There were five lead changes after that before Vanderbilt went on a 12-4 run to take a 23-16 lead.
The Commodores expanded their lead to 43-32 by halftime with LaChance, Siakam and Jones leading the way.
It was the most points scored by Vanderbilt in the first half this season as the Commodores shot 63 percent from the floor in the first 20 minutes.
Both teams featured young lineups that each included three freshmen starters.
Vanderbilt freshmen guards Wade Baldwin IV and Shelton Mitchell helped generate offense from the backcourt with six assists apiece.
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TIP-INS
Purdue: Boilermakers coach Matt Painter is one win away from 200 at Purdue.
Vanderbilt: Commodores coach Kevin Stallings was a guard at Purdue from 1979-82. He started his coaching career as an assistant with the Boilermakers from 1983-88 under Gene Keady.
UP NEXT
Vanderbilt hosts Western Carolina on Tuesday.
Purdue has a week off before facing No. 25 Notre Dame at the Crossroads Classic in Indianapolis on Saturday.