In a thrilling matchup, the No. 3 Purdue Boilermakers clinched their second consecutive outright regular-season title in the Big Ten with a hard-fought 77-71 comeback victory over the No. 12 Illinois Fighting Illini on Tuesday night in Champaign, Illinois. The Boilermakers’ resilience and strong second-half performance propelled them to the coveted title.
Zach Edey was the standout performer for Purdue, pouring in 28 points and grabbing eight rebounds. The Boilermakers also received key contributions from Fletcher Loyer, who contributed 16 points, including seven crucial points in the final four minutes. Braden Smith added 13 points and six assists, while Mason Gillis posted 10 points and six boards.
Purdue’s victory was marked by a remarkable shooting display in the second half, as they drilled 8 of 10 attempts from beyond the arc after struggling in the first half. This impressive shooting performance solidified their status as the Big Ten’s first back-to-back champions since Ohio State achieved the feat in 2006-07.
Despite a strong start from Illinois, with all five starters contributing in the opening minutes to forge an 11-6 lead, Purdue rallied in the second half. Marcus Domask led the Illini with 20 points, while Coleman Hawkins, Quincy Guerrier, and Terrence Shannon Jr. also made significant contributions. However, Illinois struggled with shooting efficiency in the second half, shooting just 36 percent and missing all six of their 3-point attempts.
Illinois held a 40-34 lead at halftime, despite Edey’s impressive 18-point effort, often against a single defender. In the second half, Illinois adjusted its strategy, doubling down on Edey, who responded by facilitating 3-pointers for Smith and Loyer. Purdue capitalized on this adjustment, with Gillis’ 3-pointer giving them their first lead at 56-54.
As the game reached its climax, Illinois mounted a comeback, tying the score at 64-64. However, Loyer stepped up for Purdue, scoring seven consecutive points, including a crucial 3-pointer, a jumper, and two free throws, securing the lead for the Boilermakers.
With this victory, Purdue solidifies its status as a dominant force in the Big Ten and sets its sights on continued success in the upcoming postseason tournaments.
