Bucknell 70, Purdue 65: Cameron Ayers scored a game-high 18 points and Mike Muscala added 14 points and 10 rebounds as the Bison rallied past the host Boilermakers in the season opener for both teams.
Trailing 33-27 at halftime, Bucknell started the second half on a 9-2 run and the game stayed close the rest of the way before the Bison took the lead for good 58-57 with 4:36 remaining after a pair of free throws by Joe Willman.
Purdue, which trailed by five late, cut the Bison lead to 66-65 on Anthony Johnson's short jumper with 10 seconds left, but Bucknell made four straight free throws to ice the win.
Donnie Hale scored a career-high 15 points to lead the Boilermakers, who saw their 26-game non-conference homecourt winning streak come to an end. Ronnie Johnson and D.J. Byrd added 12 each as Purdue lost for the first time ever against a team from the Patriot League.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Bucknell registered its first-ever win against a current member of the Big Ten Conference. Its previous victory over Penn State came before the Nittany Lions joined the league ... Purdue junior swingman Terone Johnson did not play due to an ankle injury, according to the team website. ... Purdue is now 79-10 in season-openers at home, falling to 27-5 at Mackey Arena.
Bucknell | Purdue | |
Cameron Ayers 18 | Scoring | Donnie Hale 15 |
Ryan Hill 3 | Assists | Anthony Johnson 9 |
Mike Muscala 10 | Rebounds | Ronnie Johnson 6 |
Bryson Johnson 6 | Free Throws Made | D.J. Byrd 2 |
Cameron Ayers 1 | Steals | Anthony Johnson 2 |
Joe Willman 1 | Blocks | Travis Carroll 1 |