In a thrilling basketball game, Purdue secured the Big Ten championship all for themselves. They defeated Illinois 77-71, with Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer playing key roles.
The Boilermakers had to come from behind in the second half to win. Illinois started strong, building a 10-point lead in the first half, thanks to Marcus Domask and Quincy Guerrier’s impressive performance. Guerrier made three out of four three-pointers, and together with Domask, they scored 18 points, giving Illinois a 40-34 lead at halftime.
But Purdue fought back in the second half, led by Zach Edey’s powerful play inside the paint. After trailing, Purdue took the lead with Mason Gillis’s three-pointer with 10:11 left in the game. The rest of the game was a back-and-forth battle between the two top teams in the Big Ten.
With just over three minutes left, Illinois had a slim lead of 66-64. But then Fletcher Loyer stepped up for Purdue, scoring seven consecutive points to give his team the edge.
As the game neared its end, Illinois had a chance to force overtime, trailing 74-71. But Purdue’s Braden Smith missed a shot, only for the rebound to fall into his hands again. With the shot clock ticking down, Smith made a crucial three-pointer with 18.5 seconds left, sealing the victory for Purdue.
Zach Edey, Purdue’s standout player, had a slow start but finished strong. He scored 28 points, with 18 of them coming in the first half, showcasing his dominance on the court.
In terms of standout performances, Fletcher Loyer led the charge for Purdue with 16 points, including a pivotal 7-0 scoring run. Braden Smith also made a significant impact, setting a record for Purdue’s single-season assists and contributing 13 points, including two clutch three-pointers.
On the Illinois side, Marcus Domask stood out with his impressive play, especially in the first half. He finished with 20 points, helping Illinois stay competitive throughout the game.
Overall, it was an intense matchup between two top teams, with Purdue emerging victorious to claim the Big Ten championship outright. Their resilience and clutch performances from key players like Loyer and Smith were instrumental in securing the win.
