WEST LAFAYETTE – Purdue had 18 turnovers in a loss to Eastern Michigan. The Boilermakers had 15 turnovers in their next game, a loss to Notre Dame in the Crossroads Classic.

Purdue turned the ball over just nine times Tuesday on the way to a 66-56 win against Ball State.

"We gave ourselves a better chance," Purdue coach Matt Painter said.

Ball State had 17 turnovers which resulted in 17 Purdue points.

"It was just very frustrating for us, the turnovers, because there were a lot of silly mistakes, unforced turnovers," Ball State coach Billy Taylor said. "Travels, some of it was ball security, but some of the mental breakdowns we had we just can't tolerate."

Energy from Lawson

Purdue sophomore forward Jacob Lawson had six points and 11 rebounds.

"He gave us some energy. He did a good job of rebounding the basketball. He had a couple of blocks. That's what we need from him. He's an energy guy," Painter said. "He needs to be that way at all times.

"… As a player, what Jacob Lawson did tonight he can do every night. Sometimes you can't make seven threes a night if you're a shooter. But he can do what he did tonight every single night. Hopefully this motivates him."

Time off

Purdue doesn't play again until Dec. 29 against William & Mary. That gives the Boilermakers plenty of time to work on the fundamentals.

"We're a team that beats ourselves. Let's make the other team beat us. Let's take care of the ball, rebound, do the little things.

"… We're going to try in all aspects of the game to just be better from a fundamental standpoint."