PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Interstat) — The Purdue Boilermakers used a dominant first-half performance to secure their eighth consecutive victory to open the season, dispatching the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 81-65 in a Big Ten men’s basketball contest Tuesday night at a sold-out Louis Brown Athletic Center.

Purdue’s efficiency was the story, as the Boilermakers built a 13-point halftime lead and never let the Scarlet Knights within single digits in the second half. The victory extended Purdue’s perfect start while Rutgers fell to 5-4 overall.

The Boilermakers set the tone early, racing out to a double-digit lead in the first ten minutes. A combination of sharp three-point shooting and interior play proved too much for Rutgers to handle. Purdue led 40-27 at the break, having held the Scarlet Knights to just 36 percent shooting from the floor in the opening period.

Rutgers emerged from halftime with more energy, cutting into the deficit behind the play of Harun Zrno. The sophomore from Bosnia and Herzegovina scored 11 of his 13 points in the second half, including three three-pointers, to provide a spark. However, every Rutgers push was met with a timely response from Purdue’s veteran core.

Trey Kaufman-Renn led all scorers with 19 points for Purdue, showcasing his versatility around the basket. Point guard Braden Smith orchestrated the offense masterfully, finishing with 16 points and eight assists. Fletcher Loyer added 12 points, and Gicarri Harris provided a crucial lift off the bench with 11 points, all in the first half, to help establish the early cushion.

For Rutgers, Zrno’s 13 points led the way. Dylan Grant also contributed 13 points, while Jamichael Davis chipped in nine points and five assists. The Scarlet Knights struggled to find consistent offense outside of short bursts, hampered by Purdue’s defensive length and their own inability to convert from the free-throw line, where they shot just 7-for-11.

Statistically, Purdue won the game with superior shot-making and rebounding. The Boilermakers shot 46.6 percent from the field and connected on 10 of 26 three-point attempts. They were also efficient at the line, making 17 of 20 free throws. Perhaps most telling was the offensive rebounding battle, where Purdue’s 10 offensive boards led to 14 second-chance points and extended possessions that wore down the Rutgers defense.

Rutgers finished shooting 44.6 percent from the field and a respectable 8-for-17 from beyond the arc, but were outscored 30-24 in the paint and 14-7 on fast breaks. Both teams committed nine turnovers, but Purdue translated Rutgers’ miscues into 12 points.

The game’s advanced metrics underscored Purdue’s control. The Boilermakers scored 81 points on 66 possessions, an offensive rating of 121.8, while Rutgers managed a 101.2 rating with 65 points on 64 trips.

Purdue’s win continues a strong early-season run that includes victories over Alabama and Memphis. They will look to continue their unbeaten streak when they host Iowa State on Saturday.

Rutgers, after a promising start to the season, has now dropped two of its last three games. The Scarlet Knights will aim to regroup on the road at Michigan this Saturday.

In other team notes, Purdue center Daniel Jacobsen, the 7-foot-4 freshman from Chicago, contributed three points and two blocks in 12 minutes, using his size to alter several shots around the rim. Rutgers forward Darren Buchanan finished with eight points and a steal.

The announced attendance was 8,000. Purdue entered the game as a 16.5-point favorite, and the combined score of 146 fell under the projected total of 144.