INDIANAPOLIS — Trey Kaufman-Renn equaled his personal best by scoring 30 points, including critical free throws in the final seconds, propelling No. 20 Purdue to a 76-71 victory over Southern California in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday night.
The sixth-seeded Boilermakers (22-10) found themselves down by 10 points during the first half. However, they rallied to tie the game at halftime and managed to pull ahead during a closely contested second half, largely due to the performance of Kaufman-Renn. He shot 12 of 20 from the field and 6 of 11 from the free-throw line.
With this win, Purdue moves forward to face No. 22 and second-seeded Michigan in Friday’s quarterfinals. Each team claimed a victory at home during their previous matchups this season.
In the game’s dramatic conclusion, USC (16-17) was trailing by three points when Desmond Claude committed a turnover as the Trojans attempted a game-tying 3-pointer. Braden Smith, recognized as the Big Ten Player of the Year, sealed the game by sinking two free throws with 3.6 seconds to go, concluding the scoring. Smith contributed 12 points on 3-of-10 shooting while also dishing out nine assists.
On USC’s side, Claude scored 18 points, with Wesley Yates adding 13 to their effort.
Key Takeaways:
USC: Demonstrating a blend of athleticism and length, the Trojans competed closely with Purdue even after a grueling double-overtime encounter the night before. Their talent makes them viable candidates for an NIT invitation.
Purdue: Although the Boilermakers encountered challenges defending taller and quicker players, they capitalized on the crucial moments to secure the win, especially after losing five of their last seven matchups.
Key Moment:
Kaufman-Renn tied the score with a layup at 67-all with 5:14 remaining, ensuring Purdue never fell behind again.
Key Stat:
Purdue converted 15 of 23 free throws, while USC made 10 of their 14 attempts.
What’s Next:
As the Trojans await a potential NIT bid, the Boilermakers will continue their tournament journey.
