Purdue Boilermakers Triumph Over USC
In an exhilarating clash on Saturday, the No. 5 Purdue Boilermakers triumphed over the Southern California Trojans with a score of 69-64, marking their ninth straight victory and pulling them into a tie for first place in the Big Ten standings alongside Nebraska. This matchup was particularly significant as it represented Purdue’s first visit to Los Angeles for a game against USC in 53 years.
Key Players and Moments
Braden Smith emerged as a key player in the final moments, stealing the ball at midcourt and finishing with a layup just 23 seconds before the final buzzer. He ended the game with 22 points, 18 of which came in a remarkable first half. Despite facing a daunting 14-point deficit during the first half, Smith’s prowess helped Purdue regain control, concluding the first half with a 38-32 lead following a powerful 30-10 scoring run.
Oscar Cluff also played a pivotal role in the victory, contributing 19 points and six rebounds, including a crucial stretch where he scored five consecutive points as Purdue came back from a 60-58 deficit in the latter part of the second half.
Free Throws and Fan Support
Throughout the game, Purdue made good use of free throws, sinking 8 out of 10 attempts in the closing minutes, while the Trojans struggled with only 5 successful free throws out of 14 attempts. Despite Chad Baker-Mazara‘s commendable performance of 15 points, including a last-minute attempt at a three-pointer that missed the mark, USC fell short. The chants of “Boiler up!” from a spirited Boilermakers crowd made the Galen Center atmosphere feel reminiscent of home, exemplifying the strong fan support.
Milestone Victory
The victory marked an important milestone for Purdue, being the program’s 1,000th win since the 1980-81 season when legendary coach Gene Keady began his tenure. The Boilermakers will next head to UCLA on Tuesday for a game that will be their first visit to Pauley Pavilion in 25 years, while USC will aim to bounce back at home against Northwestern on Wednesday, completing a three-game homestand.
