Mackey Arena Sustains Damage in Saturday Loss to Indiana


Crews Work to Repair Rims
Damaged by Purdue Shooters


West Lafayette, IN -Following a gut wrenching loss to rival Indiana as post game crews cleared the Mackey Arena floor the Purdue Athletic Department learned that Saturday’s game wasn't the only loss that night. Mackey arena staff discovered that both removable goals had sustained significant damage and will have to be replaced. "I was amazed at the amount of damage we found," explained Associate Athletics Director of Facilities Steve Simmerman.  "The North goal’s rim was bent almost 10 degrees and the south goal had a crack in the backboard."
The cause appears to be the horrific shooting of the Purdue Basketball team throughout the season culminating with 50 missed shots Saturday night. "These goals weren’t made to take that kind of abuse. Those shots last night weren’t just misses but full on assaults to the rims and backboards," a frustrated Mackey Operations Superintendent Paul Horsley remarked.  “I could see this coming; you should see these guys practice free throws. It’s a wonder it didn't happen sooner."
Purdue guard Kelsey Barlow who came into Mackey Sunday for some extra shooting practice was surprised to find out the goals had been removed. When staff explained that he and his teammates had caused the goals to fail, Barlow confirmed their assumption. “Yeah we shoot a lot of free throws, you know. Some of us shoot like 200 a day. When we’re only making like 50% that’s like 75 misses a day or something.” Horsley gave assurance that the effect of replacing the goals in Mackey Arena will have a minimal impact as the Men's team is away tonight at Ohio State and the Women's team will have access to the new state of the art practice facility.

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