Thrilling Matchup: Purdue Edges Out Oregon
In a thrilling matchup on Saturday, No. 12 ranked Purdue managed to edge out Oregon with a final score of 68-64, thanks to a pivotal performance from Fletcher Loyer. Loyer, who contributed 18 points overall, hit a crucial three-pointer with just 51 seconds remaining in the game, propelling the Boilermakers to a narrow lead. In the final moments, he solidified the victory by sinking three out of four free throw attempts.
Purdue’s Key Players
Braden Smith also played a significant role in Purdue’s success, scoring 13 points, dishing out four assists, and grabbing four rebounds. The Boilermakers improved their record to 19-4, which includes a 9-3 record in the Big Ten conference, marking their second consecutive win after overcoming a three-game slump. Notably, Smith achieved a significant benchmark by becoming the first player in Big Ten history to reach 1,000 points and 500 assists solely in conference play. Trey Kaufman-Renn contributed 12 points to the team’s effort.
Oregon’s Struggles
On the other hand, Oregon’s performance was led by Nate Bittle, who scored 23 points as the Ducks struggled with consistency, dropping to 8-15 overall, including a disappointing 1-11 in conference play. With this loss, Oregon extended its losing streak to nine games, including four consecutive defeats on the road. Despite falling behind early, the Ducks gave a tenacious fight, even seizing a 59-56 advantage with just over five minutes remaining.
Game Highlights
The game shifted momentum when Purdue initially established a 21-14 lead, later extending it to 36-28 before the Ducks closed out the first half with an 8-0 run to level the score at 36.
As the game progressed into a tense second half, Loyer’s critical three-pointer at the 50.3-second mark created a lead for Purdue that they would not relinquish. Oregon had opportunities to tie, but Wei Lin’s three-point attempt from the top of the key missed its mark. After securing the rebound, Kwame Evans Jr. was unable to convert at the foul line, leaving the door open for Loyer to finalize the victory by hitting his subsequent free throws.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Oregon will be facing Indiana on Monday, while Purdue prepares for a matchup against No. 9 Nebraska on Tuesday.
