Purdue basketball responds from loss behind junior superstar trio

Posted by Admin December 8, 2024 Basketball

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WEST LAFAYETTE − Purdue basketball bounced back from its abysmal showing Thursday at Penn State.

Led by its junior trio of Braden Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn and Fletcher Loyer, Purdue was able to rally in the second half against Maryland.

Despite a big afternoon from Big Ten Freshman of the Year candidate Derik Queen (26 points, 12 rebounds), the Boilermakers overcame first-half rebounding woes to beat the Terrapins 83-78 at Mackey Arena.

The Boilermakers (8-2, 1-1) improved to 6-0 at home and snapped Maryland’s five game winning streak.

When did Purdue turn the game in its favor?

Purdue basketball turning point

Early in the second half, Purdue found itself down seven.

The Boilermakers, who’d struggled from 3 until that point, flipped the scoreboard in their favor with defense and outside shooting.

Fletcher Loyer made two 3s, and Braden Smith added two others (plus a blocked shot) during a 12-2 run in the span of 1:57.

Maryland regained the lead multiple times, but Purdue rode that spark to have answers for the rest of the second half. It was over when Cam Heide sank a corner 3 with 2:43 to go.

Purdue basketball following a loss

Purdue has now won nine straight games after a loss.

The last time Purdue lost consecutive games was on Feb. 12 and Feb. 16, 2023, at Northwestern and at Maryland. It was a span where Purdue lost four of six games.

Three stars

Braden Smith, Purdue: Smith needed to find his stroke and Sunday afternoon, he did. It wasn’t that he hit 3s, but when Smith hit them. All four of his second half 3s felt huge. Smith finished with 24 points and 10 assists.

Fletcher Loyer, Purdue: Loyer was a sizzling 18 of 33 from 3-point range through nine games. Loyer stayed strong from 3, but his seven rebounds were a boost against a bigger and more athletic Maryland squad. Loyer missed his last three 3s but finished 3 of 7 from deep. He’s shooting 52.5% from 3 through 10 games.

Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue: Saddled with two early fouls, Purdue’s center never got in a first-half rhythm. Maryland also played solid defense, holding Kaufman-Renn to 2 of 8. He got it going when the Boilers needed him most, scoring on three straight possessions that took Purdue from down 62-57 to up one. Kaufman-Renn was 7 of 10 in the second half and finished with 21 points and eight rebounds.

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