E’Twaun Moore dominated with 31 points and nine rebounds to lead No. 8 Purdue to a 79-60 victory over Southern Illinois on Friday in the Chicago Invitational Challenge.

JaJuan Johnson added 18 points for the Boilermakers (5-0), who will play Richmond in the championship round on Saturday.

Purdue led, 36-28, at the break despite shooting just 30 percent (9-of-30) in the first half. The second was a different story, as Moore and Johnson traded baskets for the first 10 minutes to stretch the lead into double-digits. Moore completed a three-point play with 6:22 left that made it 68-48 and put the game away.

The Boilermakers were thought to be undeserving of their lofty ranking when Robbie Hummel was lost in the preseason with a torn ACL in his right knee, but seniors Moore and Johnson have picked up most of the scoring slack in the early going and the team looks as though it will still be able to battle for a Big Ten crown.

Justin Bocot scored 17 points for the Salukis (2-3), who play Wright State in a consolation game on Saturday.