Area College

Juniata men drop close one

HUNTINGDON — The Juniata College men’s basketball team dropped to 2-7 Wednesday night, falling to Bethany College, 65-61, in a non-league college matchup.

The Eagles, up 31-28, got 19 points from Ty Kocak to go with 14 points from Joe Bruce.

Bethany (4-5) was led by Ryan Reasback’s 20 points, 12 from Co Rose and 10 more from Jayden Jackson.

Juniata is off until Monday, Dec. 29, when it hosts Penn College in the Doc Greene Tournament.

Lady Eagles remain winless

MECHANICSBURG — The Juniata College women’s basketball team remained winless at 0-8 Wednesday night, losing at Messiah College, 70-38, in a non-league collegiate matchup.

Leah Skweres’ 11 points off the bench were tops for Juniata, which trailed, 42-20, at halftime.

Messiah, 6-2, got 14 points from Liv Monturo.

Juniata is at Westminster on Saturday, Dec. 20.

Big Ten Men

No. 6 Purdue dominates Gophers

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Braden Smith had 15 points, 12 assists and six rebounds, and Trey Kaufman-Renn added 14 points and 10 rebounds before departing early Wednesday night as No. 6 Purdue blew out Minnesota 85-57.

The Boilermakers (9-1, 2-0 Big Ten) sent a resounding statement in their first game since tying the record for the largest home loss by a No. 1 ranked team. Purdue lost by 23 points to then No. 10 Iowa State on Saturday.

There was no repeat, thanks largely to a suffocating defense. Purdue still hasn’t lost consecutive home games since February 2020. Oscar Cluff added 14 points and 11 rebounds and Fletcher Loyer finished with 10 points.

Jaylen Crocker-Johnson led Minnesota with 17 points.