Purdue FW defeats Detroit Mercy 81-77
Purdue FW Edges Out Detroit Mercy in Thrilling Conference Matchup
In a back-and-forth battle that saw both teams make dramatic runs, Purdue FW emerged victorious with an 81-77 win over visiting Detroit Mercy at Memorial Coliseum.
The home team took control early, leading by as many as 12 points in the first half behind Mikale Stevenson's 10 points. However, Detroit Mercy refused to back down, trailing by just 2 points at halftime (40-38) despite a stagnant offense that shot just 33% from the field. The visiting team made significant adjustments on the defensive end in the second half, holding Purdue FW to just 9 points in the third quarter.
Stevenson continued his hot shooting performance in the fourth quarter, scoring 12 more points and bringing his total to 22 for the night. He also contributed with 4 assists and 3 steals, making a strong case for himself as one of the top players in the conference.
Despite Stevenson's efforts, Detroit Mercy struggled to find its rhythm on offense. TJ Nadeau led the way for the visitors with 16 points, but his shooting percentages were subpar (55.6% FG). Keshawn Fisher and Legend Geeter chipped in with double-digit scoring performances of their own.
The margin of victory was a mere 4 points, underscoring the intense nature of this matchup. Detroit Mercy's inability to find consistent offense ultimately proved costly, as Purdue FW capitalized on its opportunities to build a lead that they could not relinquish.
Game Stats:
* Purdue FW (HOME):
+ FG: 29/60 (48.0%)
+ 2-Point FG: 20/32 (62.5%)
+ 3-Point FG: 9/28 (32.0%)
+ Free Throws: 14/27 (52.0%)
* Detroit Mercy (AWAY):
+ FG: 28/68 (41.0%)
+ 2-Point FG: 19/48 (39.6%)
+ 3-Point FG: 9/20 (45.0%)
+ Free Throws: 12/14 (86.0%)
Advanced Stats:
* Purdue FW:
+ eFG%: 55.8%
+ FT Rate: 45.0%
+ OREB%: 20.6%
+ TO Ratio: 2.9%
* Detroit Mercy:
+ eFG%: 47.8%
+ FT Rate: 20.6%
+ OREB%: 34.1%
+ TO Ratio: 13.2%
This win moves Purdue FW to 5-2 in conference play, while Detroit Mercy falls to 4-3. The victory is a significant one for the Boilermakers, who have been expected to contend for the Big Ten title all season long.