WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The intense rivalry between Purdue and Indiana lived up to its reputation on Friday night as the No. 10 Boilermakers battled back from behind to secure an 81-76 victory over the Indiana Hoosiers at Mackey Arena. The game showcased standout performances, particularly from Purdue's Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn, as the Boilermakers fought against the odds to maintain their dominance over their storied rival.
Indiana started off strong, taking the lead at halftime with 41-37, led by Mackenzie Mgbako, who scored 25 points, showcasing his offensive prowess throughout the game. His efforts, along with Trey Galloway's contribution of 15 points, offered hope for the Hoosiers, but it wasn’t enough against Purdue's late-game surge.
Purdue, boasting a record of 17 wins and 5 losses for the season, had their backs against the wall after trailing for much of the first half. Despite their struggles, Smith led his team with 24 points on 11-of-21 shooting, adding seven assists and six steals, proving instrumental to Purdue's success and pushing the team to victory. "Purdue basketball wasn’t happy with its Leal deal," belied by the occasional chaos on the court, as players fought for rebounds and shots during pivotal moments
The game changed dramatically during the second half when the Boilermakers erupted with an 11-1 run, quickly taking back the lead early on. Kaufman-Renn scored seven unanswered points to help pull Purdue back from the brink, finishing the game with 23 points, including the go-ahead basket with just 11 seconds left on the clock. The tension was palpable as Indiana’s Myles Rice attempted to drive for what could have been the tying basket, only to be blocked by Gicarri Harris, sealing Purdue's victory.
Meanwhile, Indiana faced serious challenges, including their turnover woes. The Hoosiers recorded 20 turnovers, providing the Boilermakers with 26 points off those mistakes. This discipline issue was highlighted by Coach Mike Woodson's decision to tighten his rotation, relying on his most consistent players to keep up with Purdue's relentless pace.
The first half had seen shifting momentum, with Indiana even leading by as many as seven at one point, contrasting sharply with their second half performance. An explosive start by Purdue shifted things, but Indiana managed to find small pockets of success. One key moment included Mgbako’s deep three-pointer, bringing the crowd to its feet and giving the Hoosiers temporary dominance.
Yet, Purdue proved resilient. Each time Indiana seemed to pull away, Smith and Kaufman-Renn found ways to score, with Kaufman-Renn's hook shot providing the final lead change at 77-76. The Boilermakers closed out the game at the free throw line, reinforcing their prowess as they converted 29 of 33 free throw attempts.
The consequences of turnovers weighed heavily on Indiana, with Coach Woodson lamenting the missed opportunities. "We had some good runs, but our mistakes never allowed us to pull away," he noted post-game. Indiana's struggles were compounded by their free throw shooting issues, as they shot only 56.3% from the line, putting them at a disadvantage when it mattered most.
With six lead changes occurring within the final minutes, the game maintained its breathless pace until the end. Smith’s ability to create shots and Kaufman-Renn's clutch scoring heightened the stakes as the rivalry game reached its culmination. The Boilermakers proved once again to be more than just their rankings but also their spirit and tenacity.
The next challenges await both teams. Purdue will head to Iowa on February 4, aiming to capitalize on their momentum, whereas Indiana faces Wisconsin, needing to regroup and find solutions to their recent struggles. The path forward is steep, but both teams possess the talent to shake off the lethargy and find victories as the season continues.
The Boilermakers again demonstrated their ability to rise when the stakes are highest, reinforcing their status as contenders not only within the Big Ten but also nationally. The rivalry with Indiana, as always, remains fierce, and this latest chapter will be one remembered by fans on both sides.
Moving forward, both teams will look to refine their strategies and address the areas of concern highlighted by this game. For Purdue, maintaining their discipline and edge will be key, whereas Indiana aims to iron out their inconsistencies and regain their earlier form.