WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – Montez Mathis scored a career-high 19 points on 6-of-11 shooting, but Rutgers (8-8, 1-5) could not overcome 14 three-pointers by rv/rv Purdue (11-6, 4-2) in an 89-54 loss Tuesday evening at a sold out Mackey Arena. The freshman guard has set career-best scoring marks in three of the past four contests for the Scarlet Knights, who played their third of seven games against foes either ranked or receiving votes over nine contests.

"Purdue played great tonight," said Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell. "Our key was to defend three-point land, and we'd been pretty good this year at that too. They blitzed us. I thought we were hanging around for a bit, but they got off to a great start in the second half and that was everything right there."

Shaq Carter and Geo Baker joined Mathis in double-figures with 10 points each. Purdue, which entered the game leading the Big Ten and 10^th nationally in three-pointers-per-game, shot 50 percent behind the arc, including 8-of-13 in the second half.

Ron Harper Jr. opened the scoring with a three-pointer for RU, but Purdue started hot, making 5-of-6 shots on a 14-2 run. The Scarlet Knights countered with a 9-0 burst, which included Issa Thiam swishing a triple from the corner, to get within two. Rutgers made 8-of-13 field goals (62%), including four triples, to begin the contest.

In a back-and-forth first frame, the home team responded with a 17-7 run down the stretch. Mathis drilled a three-pointer on RU's final first half possession.

At the midpoint, the Boilermakers held a 40-30 lead. The Scarlet Knights shot 50 percent in the opening stanza, both from the field (11-of-22) and from three-point distance.

Purdue made their first four attempts from beyond the arc out of the locker room, sparking a 14-5 run to extend its advantage to 54-35. The Boilermakers made their first seven shots after the intermission to extend their lead to 21 points. The Scarlet Knights were unable to cut further into the deficit, as the home team sealed the victory.

Rutgers returns home to host Northwestern in a 7 p.m. tip-off on Friday. The "Winter Break at The RAC" promotion is in effect and enables students with a valid Rutgers ID to bring up to two guests in the student section free of charge. Drums of Thunder will perform at halftime in the contest to be televised on BTN with Jason Horowitz and Shon Morris on the call.

Fans can secure single game tickets for the remaining home games, as well as flex ticket plans, online or by calling 866-445-GORU (4678). Additional information can obtained by visiting RutgersGameday.com. 
 
Follow Rutgers men's basketball on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersMBB), Twitter (www.twitter.com/RutgersMBB) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/RutgersMBB) for additional news and updates.
 
POSTGAME NOTES 

• The Scarlet Knights wore #TylerStrong shooting tops in memory of former Purdue student Tyler Trent, who inspired countless sports fans with his gratitude and grace and passed away recently at age 20 from a rare form of bone cancer
• Geo Baker scored 10 points, reaching double figures for the 13^th time this season and 33^rd time in his career.
• Montez Mathis scored 19 points, reaching double figures for the fifth time this season and third time in the past four games.
• In his last four games, Mathis is averaging 13.5 points per game.
• Shaq Carter posted 10 points, his third time this season in double-figures.
• Carter tied his career-high with seven rebounds
• Purdue now leads the all-time series 12-1.
• Rutgers used a starting lineup of Geo Baker, Montez Mathis, Ron Harper Jr., Shaq Carter and Shaquille Doorson for the second consecutive game. The Scarlet Knights have utilized six different starting lineup this season.
• Leading scorer and rebounder Eugene Omoruyi (leg) and forward Mamadou Doucoure (back) did not dress for the Scarlet Knights.