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Nov. 20, 1997

Brad Miller
Brad Miller scored 25 points in the victory over Northeast Louisiana. (file photo)

Purdue Defeats Northeast Louisiana, 107-80

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Sophomore forward Mike Robinson scored a career-high 29 points in 24 minutes off the bench and sixth-ranked Purdue shot 71 percent from the field in the first half en route to a 107-80 victory over Northeast Louisiana.

Brad Miller made 15-of-17 free throws and scored 25 points and Brian Cardinal added 24 for Purdue (3-0), which played without leading scorer Chad Austin. Austin is averaging 20 points per game but broke his nose in five places in practice Wednesday.

"We told the kids since Chad was hurt, everybody needs to be ready to play a lot," said Purdue coach Gene Keady. "We just wanted to make sure everybody stayed fresh on the floor.

"Chad got hit on the nose on a rebound drill in practice. It is broken and we hope to have him back soon. He wasn't very comfortable with the mask we gave him and was in a lot of pain."

Purdue, which held a 66-56 lead with 16:11 remaining in the second half, went on a 21-12 run over the next eight minutes to put away the game. Robinson had nine points during the spurt.

Marcus Anthony had 15 points to lead Northeast Louisiana, which dropped its third consecutive game. Maurice Bell and Dennis Newton added 12 points apiece for the Indians.

"All I have to say is thank God Austin didn't play. I thought they did an excellent job," said Northeast Louisiana coach Mike Vining. "By far this is the best team that we have played. Their continuous rotation of players really kept the pressure on us.

"They pressed us a lot and we got caught in the middle. They recognized a weakness and took advantage of it, which is what every great team does."

The Boilermakers forced 21 turnovers, including 12 steals.

Purdue sank 25-of-35 shots in the first half, including 3-of-4 from three-point range, in opening a 61-47 lead. Miller had 16 points and Robinson and Cardinal 15 apiece at halftime.