In an electrifying display of basketball on Tuesday night in West Lafayette, Indiana, Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith were unstoppable as they led Purdue University’s team to a resounding victory over Rutgers with a final score of 100-71. Both players shone brightly, each contributing 23 points to the scoreboard for the 18th ranked Boilermakers. Notably, Loyer and Smith lit up the court with their sharpshooting skills, each sinking an impressive seven 3-pointers, which was instrumental in Purdue’s sensational 18-for-36 performance from beyond the arc.
Supplementing their efforts, Trey Kaufman-Renn contributed a valuable 16 points for Purdue, propelling the team to a 21-9 overall record and a 13-6 stance in the Big Ten Conference. This victory marked the second consecutive win for Purdue following a challenging period of four consecutive losses.
On the opposing side, the Scarlet Knights, with a current record of 14-16 and 7-12 in the Big Ten, saw notable performances from Dylan Harper, who scored 13 points, and Ace Bailey, adding 12. However, Rutgers could not keep pace with Purdue’s offensive might.
The Boilermakers demonstrated their dominance on the court by shooting an impressive 56% from the field, compared to Rutgers’ 44%. In addition, Purdue showcased their strength beneath the basket, out-rebounding the Scarlet Knights 40-26. Caleb Furst, the lone senior from Purdue, made a memorable final home appearance by leading the team with nine rebounds, while Kaufman-Renn followed closely with eight.
Purdue’s offense was especially potent in the first half, hitting a stellar 69% from the field, which helped secure a 50-41 halftime advantage. Although Rutgers made a strong start, leading 27-19 midway through the first half, they struggled to counter Purdue’s relentless 3-point offensive. By capitalizing on their opportunities, Purdue also held a significant 36-24 advantage in points in the paint.
The Boilermakers benefited from their bench strength, with standout contributions from Gicarri Harris and Myles Colvin, who scored 11 and nine points respectively. Despite Smith accumulating his fourth foul with 8:20 remaining in the game, the team maintained their lead, allowing him to enjoy some respite. Smith further showcased his playmaking ability with nine assists throughout the game.
One of the game’s critical moments unfolded when Smith grabbed a rebound and launched a superb alley-oop pass to Furst for a dunk on a fast break, pushing the score to 42-37 with just over three minutes left in the first half. This ignited a 7-0 scoring run, bolstered by a pivotal 3-pointer from Smith and a second-chance layup from C.J. Cox.
Statistically, Purdue’s stronghold on the game was evident, particularly in the first half where their long-range shooting precision stood at 11-for-17, helping overturn an early slump to seize control of the game.
Looking ahead, Rutgers will host Minnesota on Sunday, while Purdue is set to conclude the regular season with an away game against Illinois on Friday night.
