UPDATE: In a stunning display of dominance, the No. 2 ranked Purdue Boilermakers triumphed over the Akron Zips with a score of 97-79 on November 12, 2023, marking Matt Painter’s 500th career win. This milestone cements Painter’s legacy within college basketball, with 475 wins achieved at Purdue and 25 wins from his tenure at Southern Illinois.
Trey Kaufman-Renn led the charge for Purdue with 17 points and 15 rebounds, while Oscar Cluff contributed 14 points, showcasing the team’s depth. The Boilermakers (4-0) outperformed Akron in critical areas, dominating the boards with a 45-26 rebounding advantage, which included an impressive 19 offensive rebounds.
As the game unfolded, Purdue established a commanding presence in the paint, outscoring Akron 46-18 in that area. Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer also made significant contributions, each scoring 16 points. Smith, despite an off night with shooting (4-of-12), secured a team-high 10 assists.
Akron’s leading scorer, Tavari Johnson, managed to net 20 points, but the team struggled to find rhythm, with Shammah Scott—averaging 14.3 points per game—limited to just 9 points on 4-of-13 shooting. The Zips (3-1) will look to bounce back as they face Iona in the Paradise Jam this Friday in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Purdue took control early, with Loyer scoring 11 of the team’s first 15 points. After a tight start that saw the score tied at 17, Omer Mayer’s pivotal 3-pointer with 12:20 left in the first half propelled Purdue ahead for good. Mayer’s contribution off the bench was significant, providing nine points in the first half alone.
The Boilermakers shot a commendable 53% from the field in the first half, building a 52-39 halftime lead. However, they faced challenges in the second half, making only 1 of 11 attempts from beyond the arc.
Purdue’s next challenge comes against Memphis on Thursday in the Baha Mar Championship in Nassau, Bahamas, as they aim to build on this historic victory. The urgency of this achievement not only highlights Painter’s coaching prowess but also sets a thrilling tone for the rest of the season.
Stay tuned for continued coverage as Purdue aims for further success in their upcoming games.
