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Purdue Fort Wayne
UT Pan American
Perkins' Career-High 27 Torches UTPA on 'Senior Night'
2/24/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 24, 2007
Fort Wayne, IN- On "Senior Night" it was a junior who stole the show. Chris Perkins poured in a career-high 27 points to lead IPFW over UT-Pan American, 82-64 on Saturday night at the Memorial Coliseum.
The win set a new Division I record for the program in wins at 11.
IPFW dominated this one from the opening tip.
After exchanging baskets early, UTPA senior center Colin Lien gave the Broncs a 4-3 lead on a lay up at the 17:53 mark. It would be the last time the Broncs led in the ballgame.
Senior guard Quintin Carouthers got the 'Dons rolling with a jumper from about 15 feet.
Perkins gave the Mastodons an 11 point lead with a basket off of a nifty pass from junior forward Zeljko Egeric.
IPFW maintained a double-digit cushion late in the first half as Perkins slashed to the hoop and converted a feed from sophomore guard Jakari Johnson.
But, from the 2:31 mark on, UTPA went on a 6-0 run, capped off by a jumper at the buzzer by junior forward Zach Trader that pulled the Broncs to within four at 31-27.
In the second half, IPFW began to build up the lead again.
Perkins picked Trader's pocket and drove the length of the floor, giving the 'Dons a 38-30 bulge.
The Mastodons would go on a 14-4 run, highlighted by a steal and slam from Carouthers and back-to-back 3-pointers by Perkins and Egeric.
IPFW (11-16) was never really threatened from that point on and cruised to the 18-point win.
The final minute of the game saw a curtain call for the Mastodons three graduating seniors. Tyler Best, Carouthers, and Justin Hawkins each had a chance to show their appreciation to the 2,363 fans in attendance.
Along with Perkins' 27 points, IPFW got 17 from Carouthers.
Best finished with nine points, six boards, and five assists. Hawkins only took one shot from the floor, but he hit the triple. He finished with four points and six rebounds.
Three Broncs hit for double figures, with Lien's 18 leading the way.
IPFW shot 51.8% from the floor and 76.2% from the line.
UTPA (13-14) hit 39.6% from the floor and 80% from the charity stripe.
With the home portion of the 2006-07 schedule in the books, the Mastodons will head to the Dakotas for their final two games of the season.
IPFW will face South Dakota State on Thursday night and finish the season at North Dakota State on Saturday evening.
~Dons~
