INDIANAPOLIS — In an exciting matchup at the Indy Classic, Zhuric Phelps and Pharrel Payne each contributed 16 points to propel No. 17 Texas A&M to a narrow 70-66 victory over No. 11 Purdue on Saturday. The Aggies improved their record to 9-2, managing to secure their fifth consecutive win. Payne highlighted his performance with a season-high of nine rebounds, while All-SEC guard Wade Taylor IV added 15 points and five assists before being sidelined due to an injury with just 1:36 remaining in the game.

Braden Smith emerged as the top scorer for the Boilermakers with 15 points, alongside six rebounds and six assists. Fletcher Loyer chipped in 12 points, but Purdue faced their second loss in three games. The intensity of the game was palpable, as both teams showcased their prowess in rebounding, leading to frequent collisions on the court and a number of injuries. Smith momentarily left the game in the first half after an apparent collision with Payne’s knee, while Taylor’s injury forced a stoppage in play.

A turning point in the game came from Texas A&M’s defense, which stifled Purdue’s offense, holding them scoreless for more than six minutes during the second half. This defensive stand allowed the Aggies to expand a slim two-point lead into a more comfortable 62-50 margin.

Takeaways from the game indicate that Texas A&M excels in both rebounding and defending, which are vital strengths that contributed to their ability to hand Purdue a rare non-conference defeat. This win further strengthens the Aggies’ credentials for the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

On the other hand, Purdue’s struggles with turnovers resurfaced in this game. The Boilermakers experienced difficulties throughout the second half, accumulating 16 turnovers, bringing their total to 48 over their last three contests. This recurring issue continues to plague their season.

A key moment unfolded when Purdue narrowed a seven-point deficit to just 52-50. However, the Aggies quickly regrouped, scoring ten unanswered points to extend their lead to 62-50 with just under five minutes left in the game.

In terms of statistics, Purdue recorded its third-lowest shooting percentage of the season at 45.3%. Texas A&M has consistently limited all of its opponents to below their typical scoring averages.

Looking ahead, Texas A&M is set to host Houston Christian next Friday night. Meanwhile, Purdue will face yet another challenge against a ranked opponent, taking on No. 2 Auburn next Saturday in Birmingham, Alabama.