WEST LAFAYETTE — After one of its better showings of the season last weekend at Maryland, six days between games didn’t benefit Purdue basketball.
After Loyer’s first-half performance lifted Purdue at Maryland, it was the senior’s late heroics that helped the Boilermakers survive 68-64 against the Big Ten’s last-place team on Saturday, Feb. 7.
Oregon entered on an eight-game losing streak and with just one Big Ten victory.
Six of those losses came without center Nate Bittle, who was injured early in a Jan. 13 game at Nebraska. Bittle made his return felt Saturday with 23 points, but 12th-ranked Purdue did just enough to avoid an upset.
Purdue basketball turning point vs Oregon
When it finally felt like the Boilermakers were in control, Oregon became the latest team to stage an end-of-the-first-half rally against Purdue. The Ducks went on a 6-0 run over the final 1:47 to close within two.
The Boilermakers came out cold to start the second half, going 2 of 9, but were able to get into the bonus more than 14 minutes remaining.
That was Purdue’s saving grace as it went 5:32 without a made field goal, losing its lead and having to play catchup in the process.
It wasn’t until Loyer’s deep 3 from the top of the key with 50.6 seconds left that Mackey Arena fully came alive. Loyer’s 3 gave Purdue a 65-63 lead.
How many assists did Braden Smith have vs Oregon?
Braden Smith had four assists against Oregon.
Smith has 958 career assists. He needs 118 to tie former Duke guard Bobby Hurley’s NCAA record of 1,076.
Purdue basketball’s 3 stars vs Oregon
Braden Smith: Smith came out of the gates swinging, taking Purdue’s first four shot attempts. Smith’s six turnovers were detrimental, but his 13 points, four assists and four rebounds also were pivotal.
Fletcher Loyer: Loyer opened the game with three straight makes, including two 3s. Loyer added six points in the final 50 seconds that came with a sigh of relief for Purdue fans. He finished with a team-high 18 points to go with four rebounds and two assists.
Trey Kaufman-Renn: After being the Boilers’ go-to scorer last season, Kaufman-Renn has become more of an overall stat stuffer in his fifth year. Kaufman-Renn had 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists and a steal.
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue basketball needs Fletcher Loyer heroics, Boilers survive Oregon
Reporting by Sam King, Lafayette Journal & Courier / Lafayette Journal & Courier
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
