Braden Smith delivered an impressive performance with 34 points and 12 assists, leading No. 21 Purdue to an 83-64 victory over Toledo on Sunday night.
Smith showcased his shooting prowess, hitting 12 of 22 attempts, including 6 of 13 from beyond the arc. Teammate Trey Kaufman-Renn also had a standout game, contributing 23 points on 11-of-14 shooting, while Fletcher Loyer added 17 points for the Boilermakers (9-4).
Purdue established control early, with Smith scoring 17 points in the first half, helping the team to a 39-28 lead at halftime. The Boilermakers went on an 18-2 run, building a commanding 28-14 advantage with 5:39 remaining in the opening period.
For Toledo (6-6), Sonny Wilson and Sam Lewis each scored 13 points, and Seth Hubbard added 11. Lewis led the Rockets in rebounding with 11 boards, as Toledo out-rebounded Purdue 40-33.
The Boilermakers shot 49.2% from the field compared to the Rockets’ 40.6%. Purdue also dominated in fast break points, outscoring Toledo 15-2.
Key Takeaways:
Toledo: The Rockets excelled in the paint with a 34-28 scoring edge but struggled from long range, hitting just 2 of 14 three-point attempts. They also had a rough start at the free-throw line, converting only 4 of 9 in the first half, including two air balls from Grgur Brcic.
Purdue: The Boilermakers bounced back from two consecutive losses, marking their 32nd straight home win in non-conference play. Most of their scoring came from their top three season scorers: Smith, Kaufman-Renn, and Loyer.
Key Moment:After Toledo narrowed the gap to 55-47 with 12:35 remaining, Smith responded with a driving layup that ignited a decisive 17-2 run for Purdue.
Key Stat:Purdue excelled from beyond the arc, making 10 of 28 three-pointers, while Toledo struggled, hitting only 2 of 14.
Upcoming Games:Purdue will travel to Minnesota on Thursday, while Toledo will open Mid-American Conference play against Western Michigan on Saturday.
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