Intense Boilers stop Siena

SPOKANE (WISH) - Purdue used a page out of Butler's tournament handbook. Trailing at the break, the Boilers went on a 20-3 scoring run to open the second half, and their defense hung on to live for another day.

"Defensive pressure was great. We got some steals, Lewis Jackson was able to get into it, Chris Kramer got some steals, and we got the ball to JaJuan, and I think Keaton's three's were the difference," said Purdue coach Matt Painter.

It was also hobbled point guard Lewis Jackson that provided the energy. The sophomore's eight points, nine assists and six rebounds to go with his tough defense on that sore foot pushed Purdue.

"It's tournament time, its not time to be a baby. People say its sore, just wanted to come out and give it all I've got," said Jackson, who broke his foot in pre-season, limiting him to about half a year on the court.

"It all starts with Lewis. Lewis turned up the intensity, jamming Ronald Moore, got a couple stops and easy buckets in transition," added senior Chris Kramer.

Purdue also used the underdog mentality to get the win after most experts picked Siena.

"It's definitely good, everyone picked against us, a lot had us losing our first game. The only people that believed us was ourselves and we got the win," said E'Twaun Moore.

It took a total team effort, the Boilers got the balance they need if they want to move ahead. The victory was also Purdue's 12th straight in the NCAA tournament first round. Next up? Texas A&M on Sunday.