URGENT UPDATE: In a thrilling matchup on November 12, 2023, the No. 2 Purdue Boilermakers triumphed over Akron with a decisive 97-79 victory, marking the 500th career win for head coach Matt Painter. This milestone solidifies Painter’s legacy as one of college basketball’s elite coaches.
Purdue’s victory at home in West Lafayette, Indiana, showcased a dominant performance, fueled by standout players. Trey Kaufman-Renn led the scoring with 17 points and nabbed 15 rebounds, while Oscar Cluff contributed 14 points in the win. The Boilermakers now boast an impressive 4-0 record this season.
The game featured a strong rebounding performance from Purdue, which out-rebounded Akron 45-26, including an astonishing 19 offensive rebounds. This rebounding advantage translated into a staggering 46-18 edge in points in the paint.
Despite some struggles from the 3-point line in the second half, where they shot just 1-of-11, Purdue established a commanding lead by halftime, going into the break with a 52-39 advantage. The Boilermakers hit 8 of 12 from beyond the arc in the first half, with Fletcher Loyer scoring 16 points and Braden Smith also adding 16 points along with a team-high 10 assists.
Akron, now 3-1, was led by Tavari Johnson who scored 20 points, but the team struggled against Purdue’s defense. Key player Shammah Scott, who averaged 14.3 points per game, was held to just 9 points on 4-of-13 shooting.
Looking ahead, Akron will face Iona on Friday in the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Meanwhile, Purdue is set to clash with Memphis on Thursday in the Baha Mar Championship in Nassau, Bahamas.
With this latest victory, Matt Painter has now secured 475 wins with Purdue after an earlier stint that included 25 wins at Southern Illinois. This achievement not only highlights his coaching prowess but also energizes the Boilermakers as they continue their pursuit of excellence this season.
Stay tuned for more updates as both teams prepare for their upcoming games!
