MILWAUKEE _ With Purdue boasting two players standing at least 7-foot-2, the Boilermakers had a clear size advantage against Marquette on Tuesday night.
The Boilermakers rode that mismatch to a 86-71 victory at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.
Purdue, ranked No. 19, scored 30 points in the paint. The Golden Eagles (1-1) had just 12.
The Boilermakers also finished 18 for 23 on free throws.
With 6-11 Harry Froling not available until mid-December after transferring from SMU, MU's biggest players against Purdue were 6-10 Matt Heldt and 6-9 freshman Theo John.
That wouldn't cut it against Purdue, which starts 7-2 Isaac Haas and brings 7-3 Matt Haarms off the bench.
Purdue started the game by immediately trying to take advantage down low, dumping the ball into Haas on the block for a jump hook on the Boilermakers' first possession.
Haas was shooting 4 of 8 with two rebounds before picking up his second foul and getting banished to the bench for the final 7:41 of the first half.
MU closed the first half on an 11-2 run in the final 3:42, fueled by a small-ball lineup of 6-8 sophomore Sam Hauser, 6-3 freshman Greg Elliott, 6-5 sophomore Sacar Anim, 5-11 senior Andrew Rowsey and 5-11 sophomore Markus Howard.
The Boilermakers were able to take a 32-30 lead into the break after Carsen Edwards blocked Rowsey's fast-break layup right before the buzzer, getting a measure of revenge after Rowsey had blocked Edwards to start the break.
Marquette's defense was strong in the first 20 minutes.
The Boilermakers, who shot 21 of 47 (44.75) on 3-pointers in their first two games, misfired on all five of their attempts from beyond the arc in the first half.
The Golden Eagles also harassed Purdue into six turnovers in the first 20 minutes.
With Haas back in the game to start the second half, the Boilermakers started feeding the big man again.
He scored four buckets in the paint in the first 2:31 after the break, forcing MU coach Steve Wojciechowski to call timeout with Purdue leading, 41-31.
MU got to within 45-43 with 14:39 remaining but would not get any closer.
The Boilermakers didn't make a 3-pointer until Dakota Mathias hit one with 12:52 left in the game.
Mathias' shot seemed to open up Purdue's offense. The Boilermakers finished 4 for 12 from long distance.
The Golden Eagles' shooting kept them in the game. They were 11 for 27 on 3-pointers.
Howard (24 points), Rowsey (25) and Hauser (12) paced MU's offense.
Haas finished with 22 points on 8-for-13 shooting and added five rebounds. Haarms had seven points and three rebounds. Edwards added 15 points.
The Boilermakers were held under 100 points for the first time this season. Purdue had cruised to victories over SIU-Edwardsville (105-94) and Chicago State (111-42).
The Boilermakers have won all nine matchups between the schools. The last meeting came on March 15, 1969, when Purdue earned a 75-73 victory in overtime to reach the Final Four.
