In an impressive display of skill and dominance, No. 4 Purdue cruised to an 87-68 victory over Iowa in a Big Ten Conference matchup on Monday night in West Lafayette, Ind. Center Zach Edey led the charge with game highs of 25 points and 12 rebounds, ensuring Purdue never trailed in the contest.
Purdue’s Southern Illinois transfer, Lance Jones, contributed significantly to the team’s success, adding 17 points, with 14 of them coming in the second half. Mason Gillis and Fletcher Loyer each recorded 12 points, while Trey Kaufman-Renn chipped in 10, contributing to Purdue’s efficient 52.3 percent field-goal shooting.
On the opposing side, Valparaiso transfer Ben Krikke led the Hawkeyes with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Tony Perkins added 12 points. However, their efforts were insufficient as Iowa struggled to find its rhythm, making only 10 of 32 first-half shots.
The game marked Purdue’s first appearance since losing the No. 1 ranking following a Friday night overtime defeat against Northwestern. Despite the setback, Purdue asserted its dominance early, leading for all but 86 seconds and establishing a commanding 35-point advantage in the second half.
Zach Edey showcased his prowess from the start, scoring 13 points in the first half and drawing fouls to create opportunities for the Boilermakers. Purdue steadily expanded its lead, with the margin reaching double figures just over seven minutes into the game.
The turning point came when Edey converted a three-point play, pushing the lead to 20-10. Purdue’s lead never dipped back into single digits, and they established a double-digit advantage for good with two free throws by Gillis midway through the first half.
As the first half concluded, Purdue continued its dominance, with Braden Smith setting up Gillis for a 3-pointer, resulting in a 45-24 lead at halftime. The second half saw Lance Jones taking charge, scoring 11 points in a rapid 3:04 stretch, expanding Purdue’s lead to 60-32 and effectively ending any hopes of an Iowa comeback.
Purdue’s victory showcased their resilience and determination after losing the top spot, sending a strong message to the rest of the Big Ten. With Edey’s stellar performance and a well-rounded team effort, Purdue looks poised for continued success in the competitive conference.
