Purdue 68, Minnesota 71 - Frozen Boilers

Purdue couldn’t make a shot from three most the game. That was mostly fine, until the end, when Marcus Carr banked in a three and took the lead for the Golden Gophers and a choppy final stretch by Purdue ended in road disappointment, falling 71-68 to Minnesota.

Purdue’s big man Trevion Williams is normally equal parts aggressive and distributing, but as he faced up against Liam Robbins, he looked to attack the basket again and again. Williams would lead the game with 24 points, knocking down 11 shots from the floor and garnering a double-double with ten rebounds. For one of the few times this season, he was held without an assists. Instead it was his guards finding him the ball and letting the big man work and clean up around the glass.

But his isolation against Robbins late with Purdue trailing by just 1 point and less than a minute left was called a travel and Purdue was unable to get a clean look on the ensuing possession after two made free throws extended the game to the final score.

Purdue played well enough to win this game except in the last minute and from the three-point line. Purdue went 2 of 16 from three with Gillis and Newman each knocking down one.

On the other end, Pitino’s two sharp shooters were able to make just enough, Carr and guard Gabe Kalscheur were responsible for all seven of Minnesota’s made threes, including a couple late difference makers.

Purdue’s young team collapsed late in the second half again after putting an impressive performance on the road for most the night. Purdue’s cold shooting kept them from extending their lead that struggled to go past two possessions. At one point, Purdue had three straight chances to extend a four point advantage, unable to capitilize on any of them.

Eric Hunter Jr. again forced Carr into a frustrating shooting night. Carr made just 7 of his 18 shots from the field, and even his eventual game winner was a lucky bounce off the backboard, a back breaker for the Boilermakers.

Hunter showed off his mid-range game on the other end. He scored 14 points on 6 of 8 shooting, most of the damage done on pull ups and step backs in the mid-range.

Zach Edey continues to play well. The giant freshman had 13 points on just 6 shots, his second straight double-digit performance.

Sasha Stefanovic struggles continue after recovering from his bout with Covid-19. He was held scoreless and played just 21 minutes.

Jaden Ivey had one of his best passing performances, leading the team with 4 assits, but his shot was just not there. He was 1 of 8 from the field, settling for 4 three pointers and missing all of them.

Purdue will return to Mackey to host Michigan St. next week.