Purdue basketball demonstrated remarkable resilience to overcome a challenging beginning during its west coast road trip. The No. 5 Boilermakers managed to turn the game around in the final three minutes, securing a 69-64 victory against USC at the Galen Center. This win improved their overall record to 17-1 and maintained their perfect 7-0 standing in Big Ten play.

The team’s success was largely driven by the performances of Braden Smith and Oscar Cluff. Smith delivered an impressive 22 points, shooting 7-for-14 from the field, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. He also contributed five assists and four rebounds. Cluff complemented Smith with 19 points on an efficient 7-of-8 shooting, along with six rebounds and four assists. Their combined efforts were instrumental in pulling off the narrow victory.

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The Boilermakers are set to continue their journey by heading across town on Tuesday to take on UCLA. This upcoming matchup will be another test of their strength and adaptability as they aim to maintain their winning streak.

What Was Enjoyable About the Win

• Clutch Performance: The ability of Purdue to rally in the final moments of the game showcased their mental toughness and determination. It was a clear demonstration of how far the team has come in handling pressure situations.
• Balanced Scoring: Both Smith and Cluff had standout performances, but it wasn’t just about them. Other players chipped in with key contributions, making the offense more versatile and unpredictable for opponents.
• Defensive Effort: Despite being under pressure early in the game, the defense held strong, limiting USC’s scoring opportunities and forcing turnovers that led to easy points for Purdue.

What Could Be Improved

• Early Game Execution: The Boilermakers struggled with consistency in the first half, which allowed USC to stay competitive. Improving their start could help avoid such tight games in the future.
• Rebounding: While they managed to secure enough rebounds to win, there were instances where they lost possession due to poor rebounding, which cost them potential scoring chances.
• Turnovers: The team committed several unforced errors, leading to quick transitions for the opposing team. Minimizing these mistakes would be crucial in high-stakes games.

What This Victory Means for the Team

This win is more than just a result; it signifies the growth and maturity of the Purdue program. The team has shown that they can perform under pressure and come through when it matters most. It also reinforces their position as one of the top teams in the country, setting the stage for even greater challenges ahead.

What I liked in Purdue basketball’s win at USC

The myth of Smith reached Hollywood in the first half. Whatever happened when he bonked knees in the first half appeared to give him some lingering discomfort. He shrugged it off and became the catalyst of that 30-10 run to end the first half. He scored 18 in the first half and was the only Boiler not afflicted by the poor perimeter shooting bug.

Then, after a rough second half, he came up with the steal and layup in the final 30 seconds to push the lead out to three points. He even took a swat to the face (uncalled) which could have made it two-possession game. It was the play of the night – one worth remembering when you look at the Big Ten standings late this season.

∎ Foul trouble eventually forced Purdue to go small in the second half, with Trey Kaufman-Renn at the 5. Jack Benter answered the challenge. Soon after hitting a 3, he stole the ball, made the assist at the other end of the floor, then came down and absorbed his second charge taken of the night. Benter also turned in some big minutes in the first half playing alongside Daniel Jacobsen. His court vision and awareness show up in passing, rebounding – even taking position and anticipating those charges.

∎ Once Cluff got back on the court after his fourth foul, he took command. His five points and three rebounds in the final three minutes were critical. He might have scored 30 without foul trouble and settled for 19 in 23 minutes. 

On Jack Benter: How Purdue’s charge card developed, including as a lights-out shooter

What I disliked in Purdue basketball’s win at USC

Kaufman-Renn finished with five points on 2 of 8 field goals. Fletcher Loyer, limited by foul trouble, managed seven points on 2 of 5 shooting. Smith did not score in the second half until the final minute. Purdue figured it out down the stretch, but that’s a hard line to replicate and win in this league.

∎ That fourth foul call on Cluff was highly suspect. Sure looked like Gabe Dynes simply slipped and fell, but with Cluff in the vicinity, he drew the whistle. As much as Benter, Jacobsen and Kaufman-Renn helped manage the situation, that sketchy foul changed the dynamic of the game. 

∎  A 3-for-17 start from the field to open the game helped create that 14-point hole. Almost all of those attempts, though, were the same shots they make every night. You could quibble the Boilers got the ball to the rim early and capitalized, then got away from it for too long of a stretch.

What Purdue basketball’s win at USC means

Look at everything which should have tripped Purdue up tonight. Smith going to the locker room to address that injury. Loyer and Cluff perpetually in foul trouble. A miserable shooting start.

Still goes down as a win — arguably the grittiest of the season so far. Truth is, if only a couple more of those early shots fall, this one does not come down to the final minute. When it did, senior leaders stepped up.

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue basketball survives USC’s test behind Braden Smith, Oscar Cluff