Purdue Survives USC Scare Behind Braden Smith's Clutch Play and a Key First-Half Surge
LOS ANGELES - It wasn’t always pretty, and it certainly wasn’t easy, but Purdue did what top teams do - they found a way. The fifth-ranked Boilermakers held off a scrappy USC squad at the Galen Center, escaping with a 69-64 win that tested their poise, depth, and resilience.
Now 17-1 on the season and a perfect 7-0 in conference play, Purdue extended its win streak to nine games. But this one came with more than a few nervous moments.
A Game of Swings - and One Major Turning Point
Purdue came out flat, and USC took full advantage. The Trojans raced out to a 22-8 lead, putting the Boilermakers on their heels early.
That’s when Jack Benter stepped in with a hustle play that flipped the momentum. His putback off a missed CJ Cox three wasn’t flashy, but it sparked something - a 30-10 Purdue run over the final nine minutes of the first half.
During that stretch, Braden Smith caught fire. He poured in 14 points before the break, helping Purdue score on all but two possessions the rest of the half.
Smith had briefly exited with what looked like a leg issue, but when he returned, he looked as sharp as ever. Purdue went into halftime with the lead, a remarkable turnaround from the early deficit.
Second Half: Trading Blows
Just as quickly as Purdue had taken control, USC punched back. The second half turned into a back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading buckets and defensive stops. Purdue couldn’t quite pull away, and USC refused to go away.
With the game hanging in the balance, it was Smith again who delivered. His steal and transition bucket with just under 24 seconds left gave Purdue a three-point edge - a momentum-shifting play that felt like the dagger.
Fletcher Loyer then iced the game at the line, sinking two free throws with 6.9 seconds to go, sealing a gritty road win.
Smith Chasing NCAA History
Smith’s final stat line: 22 points, five assists, and three steals - all while shaking off that early injury scare. The junior guard continues to build an impressive résumé, now sitting at 927 career assists.
He’s 149 away from tying Bobby Hurley’s all-time NCAA record of 1,076. That chase is officially on.
Three Standouts for Purdue
Braden Smith
Smith was the engine behind Purdue’s comeback and their closer down the stretch.
His 18-point first half set the tone after a rocky start, and his ability to control the game - even while battling through a leg issue - was the difference. He finished with 22 points on 6-of-9 shooting, along with five assists and three steals.
Simply put, Purdue doesn’t win this game without him.
Oscar Cluff
The big man did a little bit of everything.
Cluff was a steady interior presence, finishing with 19 points and six rebounds, but what really stood out was his passing. He dished out four assists in the first half alone, helping facilitate an offense that was clicking once Purdue found its rhythm.
Down the stretch, his rebounding helped close out possessions and keep USC from getting second-chance looks.
Jack Benter
Benter’s stat line - five points, seven rebounds, two assists, and a steal - doesn’t jump off the page, but his impact was undeniable.
He took two charges, hit a game-tying three, and turned a steal into a fastbreak dunk for Trey Kaufman-Renn. His putback in the first half was the spark that lit Purdue’s comeback fire.
In a game where every possession mattered, Benter made his count.
What This Win Means
This wasn’t Purdue at its cleanest or most dominant, but it was Purdue at its most determined. They weathered a tough road environment, overcame a sluggish start, and leaned on their veterans to pull through. For a team with championship aspirations, these are the kinds of games that build character - and confidence.
The Boilermakers keep rolling, and with Smith playing at this level, they’re going to be a tough out for anyone.