Nov 28, 2023; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Fletcher Loyer (2) shoots from underneath Texas Southern Tigers guard Zytarious Mortle (12) during the second half at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Braden Smith nearly had a triple-double (the first for Purdue since 1977) as the Boilers roll over Southern Texas 99-67. Smith had 19 points, 10 assists, and 9 rebounds. Fans were even chanting for him to come back in at one point in the second half. Encouraged by Lance Jones, he pulled a little fake out.
This was so good.
With Braden Smith sitting on the bench, just two rebounds shy of the second triple-double in @BoilerBall history, fans started chanting, "We want Braden!" 🗣️
The chants continued, prompting the PG to fake everyone out by pretending to check in. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/4KU08r3zV6
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 29, 2023
Zach Edey had 15 points, as did Lance Jones. The Boilers shot well as a team, 52% over all and 52% from 3. Here’s some notes and stats via Purdue Athletics:
- Purdue has won 31 straight non-conference, regular-season games, tied for the longest streak by any team nationally over the last 10 years (Villanova – 2015-18).
- Matt Painter won his 420th game at Purdue, now needing just one win to tie Illinois’ Lou Henson for fourth on the Big Ten’s all-time victories list (421).
- Purdue has won 53 straight games when scoring 80 or more points, dating to a Dec. 15, 2018, loss to Notre Dame.
- Braden Smith narrowly missed a triple-double with 19 points, 10 assists and 9 rebounds in just 26 minutes. He is the first Purdue player with two points-assists double-doubles in the same season since Troy Lewis in the 1987-88 season. Smith is the first player with at least 19 points and 10 assists in the same game since Troy Lewis had 22 points and 14 assists against Indiana on Feb. 21, 1988.
- Zach Edey scored in double-figures for the 58th straight game with 15 points, 6 rebounds and 3 blocks in just 21 minutes. He attempted just four field goals, making all of them.
Just insane stats there. This team is rolling. Next up, its the mini start to the Big Ten season when they head to Northwestern on Friday.
Comments