BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Johni Broome made a striking return from a shoulder injury, scoring 23 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, helping No. 2 Auburn secure an 87-69 victory over No. 16 Purdue on Saturday.
Broome had only seen two minutes of action in the previous game against Georgia State before suffering his right shoulder injury. However, he played a pivotal role in the Tigers’ (11-1) commanding performance against the Boilermakers (8-4) throughout the match.
In addition to Broome’s standout performance, Tahaad Pettiford contributed significantly to Auburn’s success, finishing with 18 points and five assists. The Tigers established a significant lead, stretching it to 33 points with just seven minutes remaining. Denver Jones also made an impact, adding 15 points to the scoreboard. Broome, who stands 6-foot-10, was particularly impressive, shooting an effective 10 for 15 from the floor and energizing the crowd with a three-pointer less than a minute into the game.
On the Purdue side, C.J. Cox was the team leader in scoring with 16 points, while Trey Kaufman-Renn also had a solid outing with 15 points and eight rebounds, despite struggling at the free-throw line with a 1 for 7 performance in the first half. Fletcher Loyer secured 12 points but managed only 3-for-12 shooting, and Braden Smith contributed eight points along with six assists, although he also committed five turnovers.
In terms of takeaways, Purdue faced challenges throughout the match, dropping to a 2-2 record against ranked SEC teams this season. They were clearly outmatched in a difficult road environment, though they did shoot 45% from the field during the second half (13 for 29). For Auburn, this victory marked their fourth win over a ranked non-conference team this season, equaling the program’s previous regular-season record.
A critical moment in the game occurred after Purdue managed to tie the score at 15. From that point, Auburn seized control and rapidly expanded their lead to 18 points, finishing the first half at 41-26. This margin was indicative of the Tigers’ dominance, with Pettiford netting eight points in the closing minutes, while Broome contributed seven more to the tally.
Statistical highlights included Auburn shooting 10 for 26 from beyond the arc, which amounted to a 38.5% success rate. Cox’s individual performance was noteworthy, as he shot 3 for 5 from three-point range, while the rest of the Boilermakers combined for just 5 for 18 from long range.
Looking ahead, Purdue is set to host Tulane on December 29, while Auburn will take on Monmouth at home on December 30.
