SAN JUAN, PR - Purdue senior Robbie Hummel's three pointer with less than 20 seconds to play gave his team a one-point lead that would stand up as the game winner in a 91-90 victory over the Iona College basketball team in the opening match of the Puerto Rico Tip Off at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico. The Gaels had three performers with double-doubles and out shot, out rebounded and out assisted their opponents but still came out on the wrong end of the scoreboard. 

Iona's frenetic offensive pace dictated the game throughout as the two teams combined for 181 points. In the first half, Iona took a six-point advantage on two occasions, but could not open up the lead more than that. Leading 50-45 in the final minute, a three-pointer by Hummel and a back-breaking half-court buzzer-beater by the Boilermakers' Kelsey Barlow knotted the score at 50-50 at the break.

In the second half, Purdue extended its run to 13 straight and took a seven point advantage just over a minute and a half into the second half. It would serve as the largest lead for the Gaels' Big Ten opponent as the Maroon & Gold stayed within the margin for the first 10 minutes of the frame. Junior Lamont Jones' three-pointer at the 8:15 mark gave Iona its first lead of the second half. Iona's run of seven straight points ended when Purdue senior Ryne Smith's fourth of five three pointers in the contest knotted the score at 79-79 with less than six minutes to play.

The game continued to stay within five points for the duration. Purdue took a four-point, 88-84 advantage with less than two minutes remaining when Jacob Lawson tipped a rebound out of the hands of Iona senior Mike Glover and converted a layup. Iona fought back with the next six points of the contest and took a two-point lead with 33 seconds remaining. Jones led the break and stopped and popped from just inside the foul line to put Iona ahead 90-88.

On the next Purdue possession, Hummel wiggled free from a defender after a hard screen on Jones and buried an open three pointer for the 91-90 advantage. With senior point guard Scott Machado disqualified with five fouls, the ball was in Jones hands on the Gaels ensuing possession. The Boilermakers played tight defense on a play called for the big man Glover and forced a turnover that virtually sealed the game.

After Ryne Smith missed both foul shots with less than three seconds left, the Gaels had a shot to win. Junior Kyle Smyth's half court attempt rimmed out as Purdue held on for the second straight contest.

Iona's offensive numbers were impressive.

Five Gaels scored double-digit points and three recorded double-doubles. Iona's scoring was led by Jones in his inaugural game in Maroon & Gold with 17 points. He shot 6-for-12 from the field and added five rebounds and five assists in 37 minutes of play. Another Iona newcomer, junior transfer Taaj Ridley impressed with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Glover posted 13 points and 12 boards, doing most of his damage from the charity stripe. Machado had 14 points and a tournament record 11 assists with just two turnovers before fouling out. He also added five boards in the loss. Senior Jermel Jenkins recorded 13 points off the bench including three-straight trifectas in the first half.

Purdue was led by Hummel's 24 points and nine rebounds. Smith added 15 points with all of them coming from behind the arc. Seniors Lewis Jackson and Kelsey Barlow added 17 and 14 respectively.

Iona out shot Purdue from the field (48.4%-44.7%), beyond the arc (52.9%-48.0%) and the free throw line (70.4%-55.0%), took a 43-42 advantage on the boards and had 20 assists to the Boilermakers' 12.

The Gaels are back in action in Puerto Rico tomorrow at 3:30 pm ET vs. Western Michigan in a game that can be seen live on ESPN3.com or heard on IonaInsider.com.