NASSAU, Bahamas — Trey Kaufman-Renn’s production helped push Purdue men’s basketball to a halftime lead over Memphis in the Baha Mar Championships semifinals Thursday.
The Boilermakers’ senior forward, though, might be compromised in the second half.
Kaufman-Renn picked up two fouls in quick succession late in the first half. After the second, he slammed the ball on the court was he walked to the Purdue bench.
That earned Kaufman-Renn a third foul with 51 seconds remaining in the half. Memphis hit all four free throws resulting from that sequence to take a 33-30 lead.
Braden Smith later beat the halftime buzzer with a 3-pointer to send Purdue into halftime with a 36-35 lead.
Kaufman-Renn posted 10 points, nine rebounds and three assists prior to the fouls.
He became the second Boilermaker playing with three fouls. Backup center Daniel Jacobsen was also whistled for three in only four minutes of playing time. Memphis center Aaron Bradshaw — one of two 7-foot-1 players in the Tigers’ starting lineup, along with Simon Majok — also picked up three fouls in five minutes.
Kaufman-Renn’s foul issues could mean more second-half time for Jack Benter, who grabbed two rebounds in three first-half minutes and started the second half.. Oscar Cluff already had to play extended minutes with Jacobsen stuck on the bench. Kaufman-Renn would also be the third option at center.
The Boilers don’t have forward Liam Murphy, a North Florida transfer, who remains out and will be reevaluated next week for his shoulder injury.
Memphis’ Dug McDaniel, a former Michigan player, also was whistled for a technical for bumping into Fletcher Loyer. The game turned chippy by the middle of the first half. A crowd heavy with Purdue supporters booed the officials off the floor at halftime
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Technical brings greater foul trouble for Purdue’s Trey Kaufman-Renn
Reporting by Nathan Baird, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
