Official NCAA game statistics

Purdue's Kaufman-Renn Leads with 26 Points as Boilermakers Upset No. 2 Alabama 87-78

Nov 16, 2024, 02:08 AM

No. 13 Purdue defeated No. 2 Alabama 87-78 at Mackey Arena, securing their first non-conference win over a top-2 ranked team at home and extending their non-conference winning streak to 39 games, including seven victories over top-10 teams. Trey Kaufman-Renn led the Boilermakers with 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Fletcher Loyer added 17 points, and Braden Smith contributed 16 points, 10 assists, and 5 rebounds. Freshman CJ Cox was pivotal, hitting three consecutive three-pointers during a key 13-0 second-half run that helped Purdue pull away. Purdue shot 56% from the field and committed only three turnovers, showcasing a strong offensive performance. Alabama's Cliff Omoruyi was impactful with a +11 plus-minus rating, the only Alabama player with a positive rating, but his absence due to foul trouble coincided with Purdue's decisive run. Alabama's coach Nate Oats acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, "We've got to do a better job finding shots for our shooters... We've got plenty to work on after this game." The victory reinforces the Big Ten's prominence and highlights the challenge opponents face at Mackey Arena.