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Recap: Bucknell 70, Purdue 65
Bucknell 70, Purdue 65: Cameron Ayers scored a game-high 18 points and Mike Muscala added 14 points and 10 rebounds as the Bison rallied past the host Boilermakers in the season opener for both teams.
Trailing 33-27 at halftime, Bucknell started the second half on a 9-2 run and the game stayed close the rest of the way before the Bison took the lead for good 58-57 with 4:36 remaining after a pair of free throws by Joe Willman.
Purdue, which trailed by five late, cut the Bison lead to 66-65 on Anthony Johnson’s short jumper with 10 seconds left, but Bucknell made four straight free throws to ice the win.
Donnie Hale scored a career-high 15 points to lead the Boilermakers, who saw their 26-game non-conference homecourt winning streak come to an end. Ronnie Johnson and D.J. Byrd added 12 each as Purdue lost for the first time ever against a team from the Patriot League.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Bucknell registered its first-ever win against a current member of the Big Ten Conference. Its previous victory over Penn State came before the Nittany Lions joined the league … Purdue junior swingman Terone Johnson did not play due to an ankle injury, according to the team website. … Purdue is now 79-10 in season-openers at home, falling to 27-5 at Mackey Arena.
