Purdue makes 18 three-pointers in win

With two 7-footers and 6-9 McDonald’s All-America Caleb “Biggie” Swanigan, No. 23 Purdue has the potential to dominate the interior.

But through two games, including Sunday’s 107-79 victory over Vermont in the Naismith Hall of Fame Tipoff at West Lafayette, Ind., it has been the Boilermakers’ three-point shooting that has been even more impressive than their big men.

Dakota Mathias scored 17 points, going five of seven from three-point range, and Purdue made a school-record 18 three-pointers, besting the 16 the Boilermakers made on Feb. 7, 1998, in a Big Ten victory at Ohio State.

“The guys and the coaching staff were on me to go ahead and shoot,” Mathias said. “I have to bring that to the court. I did today, and the shots went down. We can be really good with our inside presence and guys’ ability to shoot.”

Vince Edwards’ three-pointer from the left wing with 8:27 remaining broke the record and extended the Purdue lead to 91-64.

at No. 1 North Carolina 92, Fairfield 65: Nate Britt matched his career high with 17 points, but the Tar Heels struggled to put away a team that went 7-24 last season. Coach Roy Williams burned a first-half timeout and let his team have it during an animated stoppage.

at No. 17 Wisconsin 92, Siena 65: The Badgers, who were stunned by Western Illinois in their opener, bounced back behind 23 points by guard Bronson Koenig.