Marquette smothers Purdue in top-15 matchup as Boilers struggle with pressure

Posted by Admin November 20, 2024 Basketball

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MILWAUKEE − It was a streak that lasted nearly four years.

On Tuesday night, Purdue basketball‘s run of consecutive regular season nonconference victories finally ended.

No. 14 Marquette’s defense locked down a Boilermakers offense that came into Fiserv Forum averaging 85.3 points per game.

Led by senior guard Kam Jones’ all-around game and a stifling defense, the Golden Eagles defeated sixth-ranked Purdue, 76-58.

Purdue’s nonconference regular season win streak ended at 39, a streak that began in December 2020.

Purdue turning point at Marquette

The Boilermakers had two chances while trailing by five midway through the second half.

David Joplin’s steal took away one of those chances and on the following Purdue possession C.J. Cox missed a midrange jumper. Stevie Mitchell made four free throws on the other end over the next 23 seconds, pushing Marquette back up by nine.

With Marquette’s defense, making up that margin in 10 minutes is nearly impossible.

Turnover woes return

After double digit turnovers in three straight games to start the season, Purdue felt it had turned a corner last Friday when the Boilermakers committed only three in their win over Alabama.

Then Purdue ran into Marquette’s defense.

Passing lanes that have been there suddenly weren’t. Floor spacing Purdue typically counts on was taken away.

By halftime, the Boilermakers already had nine turnovers, leading to 10 Marquette points. For Purdue to be a good team, Matt Painter has repeatedly said the Boilermakers have to be in single digits in turnovers.

3 stars

Kam Jones, Marquette: Purdue’s defense wanted to make sure Jones, who came in averaging 24 points per game, didn’t go off at its expense. Jones made just one first half field goal but had seven rebounds and six assists in the first half. He finished with 17 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists, the first Marquette triple-double since Dwyane Wade.

Fletcher Loyer, Purdue: Loyer has now scored in double figures in five straight games. That matches the longest streak of the junior’s career. Loyer had games scoring in double figures over five straight Big Ten games as a freshman in January 2023. His final stat line wasn’t as solid as his other four games this season, but Loyer hit some shots early when Purdue was fighting for any offense. Loyer finished with 13 points.

Stevie Mitchell, Marquette: It wasn’t just Mitchell’s game-high 21 points that puts him here. He matched teammate Chase Ross with a game-high four steals.

Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.