Purdue falls at home to Xavier 63-57

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Terone Johnson led the Boilermakers with 19 points and 10 rebounds and younger brother Ronnie Johnson added 12 points for the Boilermakers, but it wasn’t enough as Xavier escaped with a 63-57 victory.

Purdue missed all 17 of their 3-point attempts, leaving them scoreless from beyond the arc for the first time since 1992. That 0-17 shooting from beyond the arc included a 0-9 performance by senior leader D.J. Byrd.

Byrd, who scored 22 points versus Clemson on Wednesday, didn’t make a basket during the game.

After holding the Purdue scoreless for a six minute second-half stretch, Xavier took the lead on a Semaj Christon 3-point play and never looked back.

Terone Johnson gave the Boilermakers a chance as he buried two free throws with 1:43 left to cut Xavier’s lead to three but a Jacob Lawson travel after a defensive stop gave the ball back to the Musketeers and sealed the victory.

The Boilermakers are now 101-18 at Mackey Arena under the guidance of eighth-year head coach Matt Painter. Purdue is now 42-13 during the month of December in Painter's tenure.

The Boilermakers will return to action on Tuesday night as they host Lamar on Keady Court with tip set for 6:30.