Northwestern 92, Purdue basketball 88: Matt Painter postgame
Boo Buie’s 31 points led Northwestern over No. 1 Purdue.
EVANSTON, Illinois — Northwestern made history by defeating Purdue, breaking a two-year streak without beating a No. 1 team.
The game ended with Northwestern edging out Purdue 92-88 in overtime, with Ty Berry’s two free throws with 6.1 seconds left sealing the Wildcats’ victory.
This thrilling match saw Northwestern’s Boo Buie making a pivotal runner with three seconds left in regulation, resulting in a tie game. The Boilermakers fought back, with Mason Gillis assisting Zach Edey in sending the game into overtime with a lay-up.
Although Purdue held a 40-30 lead with just two minutes to go in the first half, Northwestern made a strong comeback, led by Boo Buie’s exceptional effort. Buie executed two consecutive three-point plays within 1:13, giving Northwestern a lead at the halftime.
Purdue sought to counter Northwestern’s surge, as sophomore point guard Braden Smith contributed, ultimately finding Edey for a dunk and scoring for himself.
Both teams engaged in intense back-and-forth, highlighting the competitive nature of this game. Northwestern’s Ty Berry, Ryan Langborg, and Luke Hunger delivered crucial three-pointers, while Purdue leaned on its free throw prowess for scoring.
However, Northwestern capitalized on its three-point shooting proficiency to take control, while Purdue’s missed free throws hindered their potential to recover. The Wildcats ultimately secured their victory, as Purdue struggled to find openings in the dying moments of the game.
It was over when
Purdue’s turnovers in the overtime period allowed Northwestern to secure the lead. Buie emerged as a key player, extending the Wildcats’ advantage with timely jumpers and free throws.
Boo Buie’s fantastic performance ultimately sealed the game, as he scored 31 points and made critical plays in the game’s crucial moments. Northwestern secured a well-deserved victory over Purdue.
4 stars
Zach Edey, Purdue: Despite some struggles, Edey dominated with 35 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks.
Boo Buie, Northwestern: The unstoppable force in the Big Ten, Buie’s impressive speed and scoring prowess led to 31 points and nine assists.
Braden Smith, Purdue: Smith’s all-around performance included 12 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds despite an off shooting night.
Ryan Langborg, Northwestern: Langborg’s shooting prowess, with 4 for 5 from 3-point range, and 20 points contributed significantly to Northwestern’s victory.
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking.
