Purdue defeats Wisconsin 73-89
Purdue Edges Wisconsin 89-73 in Conference Showdown at Kohl Center
In a closely contested conference matchup, the visiting Purdue Boilermakers outlasted their hosts, the Wisconsin Badgers, 89-73 on Tuesday night at the Kohl Center.
The primary storyline of this game was a straightforward one: Purdue wins. The Boilermakers' road victory marked their first win in two games against the Badgers, snapping a two-game losing streak to their conference rivals.
At halftime, the away team led 38-45, setting the tone for a back-and-forth affair that would see both teams struggle from beyond the arc. However, Purdue's superior shooting percentages down the stretch proved decisive, as they outscored Wisconsin by 16 points in the second half to seal the victory.
The largest lead of the game belonged to the Badgers at 7 points early on, but Purdue would eventually take control with a 25-point cushion late in the fourth quarter. The Boilermakers' ability to contain the Badgers' top scorer, Nick Boyd, played a significant role in their success, as he was limited to just one three-pointer and 24 points.
On the other side of the court, Purdue's Fletcher Loyer led his team with 20 points, shooting 40% from the field. Oscar Cluff contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Boilermakers, who also received strong playmaking from Braden Smith, who dished out 12 assists.
The Badgers' struggles in three-point shooting (4-25) stood in stark contrast to Purdue's 10-27 attempt rate. Wisconsin's inability to find consistency beyond the arc was a major factor in their defeat, as they shot just 16% from deep.
In terms of team statistics, both teams struggled with turnovers and rebounding. The Badgers committed 11 giveaways and were outrebounded by the Boilermakers, who grabbed 37 boards compared to Wisconsin's 39.
The advanced statistics paint a similar picture: Purdue's eFG% (53.5%) was just slightly lower than Wisconsin's (45.6%), but their true shooting percentage (56.1%) gave them an edge in terms of efficiency. The Boilermakers' better turnover margin and four factors percentage were also telling indicators of their overall success.
The conference matchup between these two teams had significant implications, as Purdue snapped a two-game losing streak to the Badgers. This victory not only keeps the Boilermakers on track for a potential Big Ten Tournament bid but also cements their status as one of the top contenders in the league.