Purdue Survives Nebraska’s Furious Comeback in Overtime Thriller
LINCOLN, Nebraska - Purdue walked into Pinnacle Bank Arena looking to make a Big Ten statement. For a while, it looked like the Boilermakers were going to do just that - and then some. They built a 22-point second-half lead, silenced a raucous Nebraska crowd, and seemed well on their way to a comfortable win over the seventh-ranked Huskers.
But this one turned into a dogfight.
Nebraska didn’t just chip away - they stormed back, unleashing an 18-2 run that chopped Purdue’s lead down to five, then four. And while the Boilermakers had chances to close it out in regulation, four missed free throws in the final minute cracked the door wide open. The Huskers nearly kicked it down.
Rienk Mast had a chance to give Nebraska the lead with seconds left, but his free throw rimmed out. Braden Smith had a shot to win it for Purdue at the buzzer, but it didn’t fall. Overtime.
That’s where Oscar Cluff stepped back into the spotlight.
After spending most of the second half on the bench while Purdue leaned on Trey Kaufman-Renn at center, Cluff returned in the extra period and made the play of the night. With 5.2 seconds left, he caught a pass from Fletcher Loyer, spun left, and banked in the go-ahead bucket through contact from Berke Buyuktuncel. It was Purdue’s only made field goal in their final seven attempts - and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Cluff then sealed the deal on the other end, picking off a Hail Mary inbounds pass at the buzzer. Gicarri Harris iced it with two clutch free throws with 1.5 seconds remaining, and Purdue escaped with a gritty 80-77 overtime win - a massive result in a Big Ten race that’s heating up fast.
The win moved the 12th-ranked Boilermakers to 20-4 overall and 10-3 in conference play, pulling them even with Nebraska (21-3, 10-3) in the Big Ten standings.
Early Punch, Late Nerves
Purdue came out swinging. Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith each knocked down a pair of early threes, and before Nebraska could settle in, the Boilermakers were up 14-1. That early burst set the tone - at least for the first 30 minutes.
But Nebraska didn’t fold. They chipped away in the second half, feeding off the energy of a sold-out arena.
Purdue’s offense, once fluid and confident, got tight. The Huskers’ pressure mounted, and the Boilermakers’ missed free throws down the stretch nearly cost them.
Still, when it mattered most, Purdue found just enough.
Braden Smith Keeps Climbing
It wasn’t Smith’s most efficient shooting night, but the sophomore point guard continues to impact the game in every way. He finished with 13 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals - another near triple-double in a career that’s becoming defined by all-around excellence.
Smith now sits at 968 career assists. That puts him just 108 shy of tying Bobby Hurley’s all-time NCAA record of 1,076. It’s no longer a question of if he’ll break it - it’s when.
Purdue’s Three Stars of the Night
Oscar Cluff: The senior center had himself a night. Tasked with guarding Rienk Mast, Cluff brought physicality on both ends. He finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds, but his biggest impact came in the game’s final moments - scoring the go-ahead bucket in overtime and sealing the win with a game-saving interception.
Trey Kaufman-Renn: He didn’t score much - just six points - but his presence on the glass was massive. Kaufman-Renn pulled down 19 rebounds, anchoring Purdue defensively during a stretch when Nebraska was throwing everything at the rim. His effort kept the Boilermakers afloat in the second half.
Braden Smith: Even when the shots aren’t falling, Smith finds ways to control the game. His 10 assists were key in keeping Purdue’s offense moving early, and his poise in the final minutes helped settle things when the game teetered on the edge.
What It Means
This was more than just a win - it was a survival story. Purdue looked dominant early, then vulnerable late, but found a way to gut it out in one of the Big Ten’s toughest road environments. That kind of resilience matters in February, especially in a conference race this tight.
With both teams now sitting at 10-3 in the Big Ten, every possession, every play, and every win counts. Purdue didn’t just get a road win - they got a reminder that even when things go sideways, they’ve got the grit to pull through.
And that’s the kind of edge that separates contenders from the rest.