JaJuan Johnson, E’Twaun Moore each score 19 points as No. 5 Purdue tops Valparaiso 86-62

Johnson, Moore lead No. 5 Purdue past Valpo 86-62

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — JaJuan Johnson and E’Twaun Moore each scored 19 points to help No. 5 Purdue beat Valparaiso 86-62 on Wednesday night.

Moore tied a career high with five 3-pointers for the Boilermakers (8-0), who are off to their best start since the 1993-94 season.

Brandon Wood had 21 points and nine rebounds, and Cory Johnson had 11 points for Valparaiso (3-6).

Purdue shot 53 percent overall and made 10 of 22 3-point attempts. The Boilermakers had 20 assists on 29 field goals.

Purdue’s Robbie Hummel went 3-for-3 from 3-point range and scored 15 points after shooting 21 percent from 3-point range over the first seven games. Keaton Grant scored 10 points and Chris Kramer had seven assists and three steals for the Boilermakers.

Purdue held the Crusaders to 42 percent shooting and forced 18 turnovers in its final warmup before playing at Alabama on Saturday.

Johnson scored nine quick points, and Purdue made nine of its first 11 shots to take a 22-3 lead.

Kramer had the highlight of the first half, banking in a layup while falling forward to the floor as Tommy Kurth tried to draw a charge. Kramer made the free throw after the foul to give the Boilermakers a 30-8 lead.

The Crusaders didn’t grab a rebound for more than eight minutes to start the game.

One game after Purdue made 11 of 16 from 3-point range in the second half against Buffalo, the Boilermakers made 7 of 11 in the first half against Valparaiso to take a 47-25 lead at the break. Moore made 5 of 5 from behind the arc and scored 17 points in the first half, and Purdue shot 59 percent overall in the opening 20 minutes.

Valparaiso had 11 turnovers and six field goals at the break.

Purdue’s largest lead was 35 points in the second half.