Boilermakers Down North Melbourne Giants

Men's Basketball hosts Estonian sqaud this weekend.

Nov. 3, 1998

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -The Purdue men's basketball team opened its 1998-99 exhibition season with a 94-62 drubbing of the Australian-based North Melbourne Giants Monday night in Mackey Arena.

Boilermaker junior forward Brian Cardinal led all scorers with 22 points while junior guard Jaraan Cornell added 16 points, including hitting four-of-seven shots from three-point land. Sophomore forward Jamaal Davis scored 14 points off the bench and freshman Rodney Smith added 10 points and three assists in his first collegiate action.

After falling behind 2-0 early on, the Boilermakers would go on a 14-2 run powered by two three-pointers from Cornell and two baskets from senior guard Alan Eldridge, to take a 14-4 lead just four minutes into the game. Although the Giants would cut Purdue's lead to 23-17 at the 10-minute mark on a layup by forward Ricky Daniels, the Boilers would score eight unanswered points, including two jumpers by freshman forward Rodney Smith, to push the lead to 14 with just over eight minutes to play in the first half. After trading baskets, the Boilers would close out the half with four straight buckets to take a 51-35 lead into the intermission.

The Boilermakers would open the second half with a 14-5 run behind 10 points from Cardinal in the first five minutes to take a 67-40 lead. Although the Giants cut the lead to 20 at 67-47 with 12 minutes remaining, the outcome was never in doubt as Purdue would lead by as many as 33 points. Purdue shot 55.1% from the field and 72.2% from the charity stripe, while limiting the Giants to 36.2% shooting in earning their 14th consecutive exhibition win. Purdue plays its second and final exhibition game next Sunday (11/8) at 4:00 pm when they host the Estonian National Team in Mackey Arena.

The Boilers open the 1998-99 regular season on Friday, November 13 when they host UBC-Asheville at 8:00 EST.