CBI draws 3,046 at Mackey Arena

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Mackey Arena hosted slightly over 3,000 fans during Wednesday's first-round College Basketball Invitational game between Purdue and Western Illinois, a game won by the Boilermakers 81-67.

Prior to Wednesday, the last time Purdue men's basketball hosted a postseason was a National Invitational Tournament game in 2001.

The official attendance for the Boilermakers' victory over the Leathernecks was 3,046.

Purdue Associate Athletics Director Tom Schott said hosting a CBI game was unchartered territory for Purdue Athletics, since the Boilers had never played in the tournament prior to Wednesday night. Schott said he was pleased with the turnout of Boilermaker fans.

"Personally, I think if you ask most people around the department, exceeded our expectations," Schott said during halftime of the Boilermakers game at Mackey Arena. "The fact that tickets were very modestly priced and the fact that a lot of people don't get to see games because so many games are sold out during the season. It was a great opportunity for those fans that don't get out during the regular season to see the Boilermakers play." 

Purdue hosts Santa Clara in a second-round CBI game Monday, March 25, at Mackey Arena.