The Penn State men's basketball team knew Purdue's two best players were out with injuries.

But the Nittany Lions (16-7, 6-6 Big Ten) didn't give the depleted Boilermakers any breaks.

Penn State beat up on Purdue, 92-71, Saturday at The Bryce Jordan Center as the Lions set a record against the Boilermakers by hitting 15 three-point baskets in the rout. The Lions cleared their bench in the second half as they consistently held a 20-plus point lead and even stretched it out to 35 at one point in the second stanza.

Penn State senior guard Joe Crispin led the Lions with 20 points on only six shots from the field as the playmaker was 4-for-4 from behind the arc.

"I knew coming into the game that Purdue is awfully good on defense, especially on the perimeter," Penn State men's basketball coach Jerry Dunn said. "The story line here is you've got a bunch of selfless guys. They're playing very selfless right now, which I think is what you've got to do to be a good basketball team."

The Lions played very cohesively, especially when the starters were on the floor, as 6-foot-4 guard Titus Ivory and Crispin combined for 10 assists and senior Gyasi Cline-Heard led all players with nine rebounds.

Purdue was without top scorer Rodney Smith and its best rebounder, John Allison due to foot injuries, but one of their most talented player on the floor, Carson Cunningham, was also struggling. The senior guard shot 10 of Purdue's 21 shots in the first half and only connected on one. The Boilermakers' top remaining scorer, sophomore Kenneth Lowe, had only one shot attempt in the first half.

"They did a great job of taking us out of our offense in the first half," Purdue men's basketball coach Gene Keady said. "They really won the game on defense more than anything else, regardless of the 92 points."

Much of that defense came from sophomore guard Brandon Watkins, who came off the bench with freshman Sharif Chambliss and caused havoc up and down the court. Watkins' stats don't really tell the story of his work ethic, especially on the defensive end.

"He certainly gives us a different look defensively when he comes in because we can extend our defense," Dunn said. "He causes some things to happen out there that really allow the other guys to extend their defense."

Cline-Heard said the Lions have been successful recently because they found a good balance of players from top to bottom.

Whether it's the starting five, or the players coming off the bench, Penn State has found its comfort zone.

"Right now, I wouldn't want to play us because we're playing together," the 6-foot-9 forward said. "We have a good balance one through five and all the way down. Every game is a must win for us."

The Lions return to the floor Wednesday when they travel to Northwestern.