The #13 Purdue Boilermakers defeated the #2 Alabama Crimson Tide by a final score of 87-78. Purdue’s leading scorers were Trey Kaufman-Renn with 26 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, Braden Smith with 17 points, ten assists, and six rebounds, and Fletcher Loyer with 17 points and two assists.

1st Half

Purdue looked great in the first half, only turning the ball over once. The big three for the Boilermakers were on fire. Kaufman-Renn was getting his way in the paint and couldn’t be stopped. This game finally showed who will play center for the Boilermakers, junior Trey Kaufman-Renn played the best game of his career and showed a good ability to rebound and size up. Alabama wasn’t shooting well in the first half, but Purdue was holding onto the ball and making a good percentage of their shots. To end the half, Purdue drew up a play with 10 seconds to get the ball to Fletcher Loyer, and for the second game in a row, Loyer hit a buzzer-beater to go into halftime with the lead. Purdue lead 42-40 going into halftime.

2nd Half

Alabama started the second half on fire, hitting 5/6 shots from behind the arc, and looking like they could run away with this game. With 10 minutes remaining, Alabama held a 65-59 lead. Then, the Boilermakers subbed in freshman CJ Cox. Cox would go on to have one of the most electric three-play sequences I have ever seen, including a four-point play, and two loud 3 pointers in a row. After the electric sequence, all Purdue would have to do is hold onto the lead. When games get close, you have to rely on your best players to show up, and they showed up for the Boilermakers tonight. Juniors Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn would take control of this game and put it away. This was one of the biggest wins in Purdue basketball history. They wrote them off, they said that they would be nothing without Zach Edey. But this team showed some massive resilience and will give Purdue fans a huge boost of confidence for the rest of the season. The Boilermakers defeated the Crimson Tide by a final score of 87-78.

Player of the Game: Trey Kaufman-Renn

Trey Kaufman-Renn was in complete control of the paint the entire game. Even when 6’11 Clifford Omoruyi was guarding him, he was not being stopped. In a season where Purdue has a dire need for a center to step up, no one has done it yet, until tonight. Purdue played their best basketball when Trey Kaufman-Renn was their center, and will most likely continue to do so. Kaufman-Renn did miss a decent amount of shots, shooting 12/23, but I loved the aggressiveness and the confidence to take that many shots. This is just the beginning for Kaufman-Renn, don’t forget the name.

#13 Purdue plays #15 Marquette on Tuesday, November 19th at 9:00 PM EST @ Marquette

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