Indiana University Triumphs Over Purdue
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — In a thrilling clash on Tuesday night, Indiana University secured a narrow 72-67 victory over No. 12 ranked Purdue, showcasing a pivotal performance from Lamar Wilkerson, who led the team with 19 points. Nick Dorn contributed significantly as well, adding 18 points, while Conor Enright played a crucial role in the final moments, scoring five of his eight points in the last 71 seconds to cement the win.
Significance of the Win
This matchup not only marked Indiana’s second consecutive victory but also represented a significant milestone for coach Darian DeVries, as it was the most notable win of his inaugural season with the Hoosiers (14-7, 5-5 Big Ten). Coincidentally, this game also took place amidst a pregame ceremony celebrating the college football national champions, allowing for an electric atmosphere in the arena where coach Curt Cignetti had famously declared,
“Purdue sucks.”
Home-Court Advantage
Indiana has displayed a strong home-court advantage against their rivals, beating ranked Purdue teams in four of the last five meetings on their home turf. On the other hand, Purdue (17-4, 7-3) struggled to find their rhythm, despite a standout performance from Trey Kaufman-Renn, who scored 23 points, while teammate Braden Smith contributed 14 points along with five rebounds and five assists. This defeat marked Purdue’s third consecutive loss, their worst stretch of the season.
Game Highlights
The game showcased classic rivalry intensity, with Indiana initially gaining momentum through a decisive 21-6 run to finish the first half, flipping a 23-21 deficit into a commanding 40-29 lead. However, Purdue persistently battled back in the second half. After Smith’s jumper brought the score to 47-41 with 15:02 remaining, Indiana quickly answered with a 7-2 run to regain control. With just 1:28 left on the clock, Smith’s layup narrowed Indiana’s lead to 65-63, but Enright responded confidently with a critical three-pointer. Even as Kaufman-Renn’s layup reduced the Hoosiers’ advantage to 68-65 with under half a minute left, Enright converted two clutch free throws, sealing Indiana’s victory.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Purdue will head to Maryland for their next game on Sunday, while Indiana is set to embark on a trip to Los Angeles, starting with a matchup against UCLA on Saturday.
