Purdue basketball continues hot streak, buries USC to stay atop Big Ten

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WEST LAFAYETTE − After winning a couple games in a row that were too close for comfort in the final minutes, Purdue basketball fans could breathe a little easier Friday night.

The seventh-ranked Boilermakers shot 50%, including going 20 of 30 in the first half to beat USC 90-72 at Mackey Arena.

The Boilermakers (19-5, 11-2) won for the 11th time in their last 12 games.

Purdue is now two wins up on Michigan State and Michigan, which each have two league losses, in the Big Ten standings.

The Boilers have a pivotal road trip to Michigan up next Tuesday.

More: BoilersXTRA: Purdue’s most important player outside Big Three

Purdue basketball turning point

The Boilermakers made their first eight shots. Even missing two shots on the next possession, Purdue still scored on a Caleb Furst putback.

Still, USC managed to linger thanks to the hot shooting of Wesley Yates, who had 20 first half points.

Myles Colvin, who made just 1 of 5 3s in the first half, got a friendly roll on a corner 3 that was followed with a 3 from CJ Cox. Those consecutive triples put Purdue ahead 33-20 with 9:10 to go in the first half and the Boilers never seemed threatened from there.

USC Trojans forward Rashaun Agee (12) defends Purdue Boilermakers forward Trey Kaufman-Renn (4) Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, during the NCAA men’s basketball game at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind.

Paint crew

Purdue spent the first half against USC living at the rim.

The Boilermakers made just three first half 3s, but still led by 12 at halftime thanks to its production from close range.

Purdue scored 32 of its 48 first-half points in the paint. For good measure, the Boilermakers added another 20 paint points in the second half.

3 stars

Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue: The redshirt junior was left off the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar semifinalist list of the nation’s top 10 centers. He responded by scoring 24 points on 8 of 12 shooting to go with 10 rebounds (seven offensive) and two blocks.

Braden Smith, Purdue: For the first time in four games, Smith was…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/purdue-basketball-continues-hot-streak-021246042.html

Author : Journal & Courier

Publish date : 2025-02-08 02:12:00

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