WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- While not as athletic as Villanova, Kansas, UCLA or Kentucky, No. 16 Purdue literally has a big 1-2 punch that could make the Boilermakers a significant factor in the NCAA Tournament.

Isaac Haas, a 7-foot-2 junior center, scored 16 of his game-high 24 points in a nine-minute, second-half window on Tuesday night to go with 11 rebounds, and 6-8 power forward Caleb Swanigan had 12 points and 17 rebounds in Purdue's emphatic 74-55 victory against Rutgers.

The double-double was Haas' second of the season, while for Swanigan, it was his eighth in a row and his 22nd this season. The two big men were a combined 14 of 22 from the field and 7 of 12 from the free-throw line. They helped the Boilermakers outrebound the Scarlet Knights 45-28.

Purdue (21-5, 10-3 Big Ten) won its fourth in a row and is 7-1 since a Jan. 12 loss at Iowa. Rutgers (13-14, 2-12) lost its third consecutive game.

"Isaac's footwork was great," Purdue coach Matt Painter said. "He kept it simple. He got them down deep and used his post moves. He was the difference in the game in the second half. With Isaac, you try to keep him fresh, but if he plays like that, you don't want to take him out."

Purdue led only 49-41 with just more than 12:30 remaining but pulled away, leading 74-48 before Rutgers scored the final seven points. Haas had 16 in the 25-7, game-clinching run.

"I just kind of got into a rhythm," said Haas, whose season high is 26 points against Utah State. "I was really trying to focus on rebounding, doing what I need to do for the team and accepting my role. It just kind of came to me tonight."

Nigel Johnson scored 23 points to lead Rutgers, which could not contain Purdue's two big men.

"They've got two great players," Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell said. "What a luxury bringing one of them (Haas) off the bench. They caused many problems, and they surround those guys with good shooters. I thought we did a decent job on Swanigan. I really did. Obviously, Haas was Swanigan tonight. They pose many problems."

The Boilermakers used a 15-5 run to increase a 10-7 lead to 25-12 on a Carsen Edwards 3-pointer with 8:14 left in the first half. However, Johnson and Corey Sanders combined for 11 points, and Rutgers pulled within 33-26 through 20 minutes.

Haas led the Boilermakers with eight points and six rebounds during the opening half. Dakota Mathias and Edwards each scored six, and Swanigan had five points and seven rebounds.

"I thought we were a little sloppy and a little lackadaisical in the first half," Mathias said of Purdue's slow start. "We had eight turnovers in the first half. That is unacceptable. You get beat in a lot of games if you do that. In the second half, our emphasis was on Isaac."

Johnson had 14 first-half points for Rutgers. He was 5 of 6 from the field, including 4 of 4 from 3-point range, but his teammates were a collective 5 of 22 during the opening 20 minutes.

Overall, Purdue outshot Rutgers 47.5 percent to 35.9 percent.

NOTES: Rutgers entered the game ranked third nationally in offensive rebounds (15.1 per game), fourth in rebounds (41.69 per game) and 22nd in rebound margin (plus-6.7) ... Rutgers played its next-to-last regular-season road game. The Scarlet Knights travel Saturday to Northwestern, then close with three Big Ten home games. ... Purdue was the 11th Rutgers opponent among the past 16 that was ranked or receiving votes at the time of the game. ... The No. 16 Boilermakers have been an Associated Press Top 25 member in each of the 34 most recent polls. ... Purdue won at Indiana, at Ohio State and at Michigan State in the same season for the first time since 2009-2010. ... Boilermakers coach Matt Painter is 4-0 against Rutgers. ... Purdue improved to 22-3 in its 25 most recent Big Ten games in Mackey Arena.