5 Thoughts From No. 5 Purdue's 79-72 Win Over Iowa

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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The 100th consecutive sellout astatine Mackey Arena resulting successful a thrilling contest. Although Iowa gave fifth-ranked Purdue a awesome tally for its money, nan Boilermakers were capable to prevail pinch a 79-72 triumph and amended to 6-0 successful Big Ten play and 16-1 overall.

After going scoreless successful nan first half, Braden Smith led nan measurement pinch 16 points and 8 assists for nan Boilermakers. Trey Kaufman-Renn scored 12, Fletcher Loyer added 11, and Oscar Cluff vanished pinch 10 points.

Here are a fewer speedy thoughts pursuing Purdue's triumph complete Iowa.

Battling done early foul trouble

Purdue Boilermakers guardant Trey Kaufman-Renn (4) shoots a free propulsion | Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Purdue recovered itself facing immoderate adversity early successful nan first half connected Wednesday night. While trying to alert successful and drawback a rebound, Trey Kaufman-Renn picked up his 2nd foul astatine nan 12:51 people of nan first half. Then, pinch 8:01 remaining until halftime, Oscar Cluff was whistled for his 2nd foul.

For nan last 8 minutes of nan first half, Purdue had to trust connected nan chair play of Daniel Jacobsen and Jack Benter to get to nan locker room, and some delivered. Benter knocked down 2 large threes successful nan first half and Jacobsen closed retired nan half pinch 5 points and 7 rebounds.

Yes, Purdue trailed Iowa 34-31 astatine nan break, but it could person been lopsided. The play of Jacobsen and Benter disconnected nan chair was pivotal to keeping nan Boilermakers wrong striking distance.

Daniel Jacobsen comes up big

Purdue Boilermakers halfway Daniel Jacobsen (12) shoots nan shot | Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Speaking of Jacobsen, nan 7-foot-4 halfway had a large nighttime erstwhile Purdue needed it most. With some Cluff and Kaufman-Renn connected nan chair successful nan first half, he had 5 points and grabbed 7 boards successful 13 minutes.

Jacobsen was only connected nan level for 5 minutes successful nan 2nd half, but was still productive successful that span, grabbing 2 much rebounds and scoring 2 much points. He ended nan crippled pinch 7 points, 9 rebounds, and a block. He was 1 of nan underrated factors successful Wednesday night's win.

Struggled to take sides nan three

Iowa Hawkeyes defender Bennett Stirtz (14) dribbles down tribunal | Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

For a 2nd consecutive game, Purdue really struggled to adjacent retired connected three-point shooters. The Hawkeyes knocked down 7-of-10 shots from down nan arc successful nan first half, astir of those coming from wide-open looks. Iowa did get a fewer friends rolls from nan rim, too.

Iowa came backmost down to world a small spot successful nan 2nd half, but still made 12-of-25 shots from three-point range. Last Saturday, Penn State made 12-of-27 of its attempts from agelong distance.

Tavion Banks and Kael Combs were outstanding from nan perimeter, making 7-of-8 shots from distance.

Purdue's caller issues pinch perimeter defense are a interest moving forward, but this was an Iowa squad that shoots good from agelong range. Still, nan Boilermakers person to beryllium capable to adjacent retired connected opposing shooters.

Gicarri Harris successful nan clutch

Purdue Boilermakers defender Gicarri Harris (24) celebrates a handbasket | Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

When nan crippled was hanging successful nan equilibrium successful nan 2nd half, it was Gicarri Harris who made immoderate of nan biggest plays of nan night. At nan 12:43 people and trailing 48-43, nan sophomore sewage his first bargain of nan night. Then, 80 seconds later, and nan people astatine 50-45, Harris collected his 2nd bargain of nan game.

In moments erstwhile Purdue's defense struggled to get stops, nan sophomore came up big. Then, pinch nan Boilermakers trailing 61-59, Harris deed a go-ahead three-pointer pinch 6:57 to play. Purdue ne'er trailed again aft that shot.

Harris has had immoderate awesome moments this season, but his play connected Wednesday nighttime was captious to Purdue's success.

Elite constituent defender matchup

Purdue Boilermakers defender Braden Smith (3) reacts to scoring | Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

If you wanted to spot 2 of nan champion constituent guards successful assemblage basketball, you sewage your wish. Although Smith struggled successful nan first half, some he and Bennett Stirtz put connected a show, particularly successful nan 2nd half.

Smith ended pinch 16 ppints, 8 assists, and 2 steals. Stirtz closed retired nan nighttime pinch 19 points, making 7-of-15 shots from nan floor. He besides had 4 assists and 3 rebounds.

It was nosy to spot 2 of nan champion players astatine their position spell head-to-head and play truthful well.

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