WEST LAFAYETTE – No. 2 Purdue put on a display of depth and offensive firepower Sunday, pulling away from Akron in the second half to win 97-79 and make its case to return to the top spot in the polls when the new rankings come out today.

The Boilermakers (4-0) had five players score at least 14 points for the first time in at least 20 years.

Forward Trey Kaufman-Renn led the way with 17 points –12 in the second half – and 15 rebounds. Big man Oscar Cluff chipped in 14 points on 7-for-9 shooting and 14 rebounds and Braden Smith added 16 points and 10 assists to give Purdue three double-doubles.

The victory was the 500th of coach Matt Painter’s career in 22 seasons (21 at Purdue, one at Southern Illinois). He is the seventh-fastest active coach to reach the mark, doing so in 720 games.

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