The shots weren’t falling early for Purdue.

The team missed its first 11 three-point attempts Saturday against Indiana. The Boilermakers went 8 of 40 from the field in the first 20 minutes.

“We had some fall off the rim and some go in and out,” Purdue forward Robbie Hummel said after the game. “They weren’t bad shots. I don’t think coach had a problem with any of those shots.

“We’ve shot the ball well in practice, but we haven’t shot it well in games.”

The slow start proved costly in a 78-61 loss. Purdue finished the game shooting 29.6 percent from the floor (21 of 71).

“A lot of times you’re not disappointed with your team when you have zero turnovers in a half,” Purdue coach Matt Painter said. “I don’t mind missing open shots, even though you shouldn’t miss open shots, you’re on scholarship. You should be able to, especially at home, consistently knock down an open shot. But when you have layups that you’re just blowing and you’re shooting over the goal and you’re right there at the rim, you have to step up and play.

“I thought we had a couple of guys out there scared and I thought I had a couple of guys out there trying to get fouled all the time. You have to go strong, you have to go and thrive in games like this. You’ve got to really take on the whole atmosphere, the whole situation and play.”

Sluggish starts hurt Purdue (15-8, 5-5 Big Ten) in home losses to Michigan (11 of 29 in the first half on Jan. 24) and Indiana.

The Boilermakers can’t afford to have another rocky start today at No. 3 Ohio State (20-3, 8-2), winners of five straight.

The lineup, which includes player of the year candidate Jared Sullinger (17.4 points, 9.1 rebounds) and Bishop Luers graduate Deshaun Thomas (14.7 points), will present a challenge.

“We have to be more consistent as a team, but that starts at the top,” Painter said during Monday’s Big Ten teleconference. “That starts with me. I’ve got to figure out who can be there on a daily basis and be productive.”

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