In a thrilling matchup on Sunday, Braden Smith led No. 8 Purdue to an 83-78 victory over Maryland, scoring 24 points and dishing out 10 assists. The Boilermakers improved their record to 8-2 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten after bouncing back from a defeat against Penn State just days prior.
Trey Kaufman-Renn contributed significantly with 21 points, while Camden Heide added 15 points and Fletcher Loyer chipped in 12 points. For the Terrapins, who also hold an 8-2 record and a 1-1 standing in the conference, Derik Queen topped the scoring chart with 26 points on 11-of-18 shooting and secured a team-high 12 rebounds. Ja’Kobi Gillespie followed suit with 18 points, providing essential support alongside Selton Miguel and Rodney Rice, who each scored 13 points. Julian Reese faced foul trouble, finishing the game with five points and seven rebounds.
Purdue took control late in the game, launching an 8-0 run to lead 77-67 with just two minutes remaining. Smith initiated this decisive run with a crucial 3-pointer. To solidify their lead, Heide executed three successful free throws in the closing moments, cementing the win for the Boilermakers.
At halftime, Maryland was ahead 36-31, with both teams shooting 13-for-35 from the field in the first half, although the Terrapins boasted a slight advantage in three-point shooting.
Key Insights
Maryland demonstrated competitive spirit throughout the game while playing on the road. They ended the game with a 37-34 advantage in rebounding, although this lead decreased significantly from a 25-16 margin in the first half. Purdue, after struggling with a 37% shooting percentage in the first half, improved dramatically to 53% in the second half. Despite the size discrepancy that favored Maryland, Purdue dominated the paint with a 42-32 scoring advantage.
Turning Point
The pivotal moment came when Kaufman-Renn converted a layup that gave Purdue a permanent lead at 63-62 with just over seven minutes left in the game.
Notable Stat
The Boilermakers improved their long-range shooting significantly, going 7-for-16 from three-point territory in the second half after only managing 2-for-10 in the first.
Looking Ahead
Maryland is slated to host St. Francis (Pa.) on December 17, while Purdue will face No. 22 Texas A&M on Saturday in Indianapolis.
