The Purdue Boilermakers’ The struggles intensified with a decisive 72-67 road loss to their in-state rival Indiana Hoosiers in the auditorium.
A disastrous first half doomed the Boilermakers, who have now lost three games in a row after a 17-1 start to the season.
Avalanche in the first half buries Purdue
Purdue was overwhelmed early, which was negated by a defensive collapse in the first half. The Hoosiers made eight three-pointers, with Tucker DeVries scoring three times, while Purdue lost the rebounding battle and committed seven turnovers. The result was a 40-29 halftime deficit that left the Boilermakers looking disjointed and outmatched.
A brave but doomed rally in the second half
A strategic one layer After halftime there was almost a comeback. By moving Trey Kaufman-Renn to the entrance and using Jack Benter to stretch the floor, Purdue found success with the Braden Smith-Kaufman-Renn pick-and-roll. This helped cut the deficit back to 65-63 with less than two minutes to play, taking advantage of several missed Indiana free throws.
Key moments that sealed the loss
Purdue’s recovery ultimately failed due to crucial mistakes late in the game:
- After cutting the lead to two, a defensive breakdown left Conor Enright wide open for a crucial three-pointer.
- Braden Smith scored a game-winning turnover on the ensuing possession.
- Despite more missed IU free throws, Purdue failed to get the defensive stop or score needed to complete the comeback, with Enright’s late free throws sealing the 72-67 win for Indiana.
What this loss means for Purdue
This third straight loss represents a major downturn for a team that started the season as national title contenders. Issues with perimeter defense, rebounding intensity and late-game execution are now consistent themes. The Boilermakers must find answers quickly to fulfill the promise of their season.
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This match summary is based on the live broadcast of the match and official statistics.
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