West Lafayette, Ind. – Zach Edey led No. 2 Purdue to a comeback victory over Minnesota with 24 points and 15 rebounds, overcoming a slow start to secure an 84-76 win on Thursday night. The Boilermakers, now 23-2 for the season, displayed their resilience as they rallied from a 10-point deficit in the second half.
Point guard Braden Smith contributed significantly with 16 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds, further bolstering Purdue’s performance. The team’s home record of 43-3 in the last three years, including a flawless 7-0 in Big Ten play this season, underscores their dominance at Mackey Arena.
Despite a strong start from the Gophers, who went 9 of 16 on 3-pointers in the first half, their momentum waned in the second half as they went just 3 of 9 from long range. Dawson Garcia led the Gophers with 24 points, while Mike Mitchell Jr. and Cam Christie also made significant contributions, but it wasn’t enough to hold off Purdue’s resurgence.
Minnesota, under the leadership of third-year coach Ben Johnson, has shown notable improvement from the previous season, but their performance in conference away games remains a challenge, with a 2-5 record in Big Ten away games.
Purdue’s ability to weather adversity and mount a successful comeback highlights their potential in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The team’s experience and composure in the face of challenges position them as strong contenders for this year’s tournament.
Looking ahead, Minnesota will host Rutgers, while Purdue is set to visit Ohio State on Sunday, setting the stage for further compelling matchups in the Big Ten conference.
