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No. 1 Purdue Fends Off Oakland as Smith Leads 87-77 Win

Braden Smith posted 20 points with nine assists to headline a balanced, Peacock-only home victory.

Overview

  • Purdue moved to 2-0 with six players in double figures, led by Braden Smith’s 20 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in West Lafayette.
  • After a 35-35 halftime tie, Purdue pulled away late as Fletcher Loyer and C.J. Cox buried consecutive threes to create decisive separation.
  • The Boilermakers shot 47% and went 13 of 35 from deep, while Oakland shot 44% and owned a 39-37 rebounding edge.
  • Oakland’s Ziare Wells had 21 points and 12 rebounds as the Horizon League program continues a punishing start that includes Michigan earlier this week and a trip to No. 2 Houston next.
  • Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn remained sidelined with a hip injury, and next up is a visit to No. 15 Alabama; separately, No. 1 Ohio State football (8-0) visits Purdue today at 1 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network with predictions citing a DraftKings 29.5-point spread.