After a nine-game losing streak against Purdue from 2017-2022, and not winning in West Lafayette since 2013, No. 17 Indiana toppled No. 5 Purdue on Saturday night, winning 79-71. Jalen Hood-Schifino sparkled in a Hoosier uniform, scoring a career-high 35 points and pulling down seven rebounds, which tied a career-high as well. His 35 points were the most scored by a Big Ten freshman this season.
Jalen Hood-Schifino tonight
40 MIN 35 PTS 7 REB 2 AST 1 STL 1 BLK 14/24 FG 1/2 3PT 6/7 FT +8 W #iubb
The start of the game did not go swimmingly for Indiana. In front of a deafening sell-out crowd at one of the best venues to watch a college basketball game in the country, Purdue scored the first six points of the game. The Boilermakers turned IU over on the first possession, and Caleb Furst made key plays to spot Purdue an advantage.
After Furst threw down a dunk in transition, the Boilers led 13-6, prompting a Mike Woodson timeout.
It was clear Indiana built a gameplan surrounding the freshman guard Hood-Schifino, possibly looking at him out-performing Purdue’s freshman guards, Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith, who struggled in the first game between the teams.
Trayce Jackson-Davis did not have his typical jaw-dropping performance. His first points did not come after halftime, as he deferred to his teammates and opted not to attack Purdue’s hounding defense. Matt Painter would not permit Jackson-Davis to score 25 like he did in the first matchup.
Hood-Schifino and Miller Kopp brought IU back into the game. In fact, they carried the Hoosiers in the first half. Only three Hoosiers, with Trey Galloway included, scored points in the first 20 minutes. Hood-Schifino and Kopp were the only Hoosiers to tally baskets over the final 16+ minutes of the first period.
Brandon Newman drilled a three just before halftime to push a one-point Purdue lead to four. At the time, it felt like that would make a huge difference in the overall context of the game. Both teams played a contentious, intense 20 minutes. Purdue had momentum going into halftime, leading 38-34.
Halftime stats from Mackey Arena.
Only three players scored for Indiana. Hood-Schifino and Kopp scored every IU point over the last 16:37. #iubbpic.twitter.com/D8R9dsIuaX
Indiana’s suffocating defense overwhelmed Purdue coming out of the break. Zach Edey, who had 15 points in the first, did not score for almost the first ten minutes of the second half. His teammates could only score five in the first eight minutes of the second half. Meanwhile, Indiana took the lead.
Trey Galloway was IU’s inspirational force. He drilled two threes, scored a fastbreak layup, and was a menace on the defensive end. Of all the players to pick from in tonight’s game, if Hood-Schifino was IU’s MVP, Galloway was the best supporting player.
Galloway has 8 of IU's 10 points in the second half. #iubb
Woodson put Hood-Schifino in the pick-and-roll to bludgeon the Boilermakers defense time and time again. When Jackson-Davis touched the ball, he found his teammates, racking up a game-high seven assists. He also put up 10 points after halftime to steer IU clear of the home team. The Boilermakers had no answer.
When Hood-Schifino nailed a bucket with 8:38 left, IU led by 13.
As tense as it was for Hoosier Nation to watch the final 10 minutes of the contest, Purdue never came closer than nine until a meaningless three by Newman at the buzzer. Edey would score frequently, tallying 11 points down the stretch, but the Boilermaker shooters could not find a clean look. Smith and Loyer made 6/23 (26%) attempts from the field in this game. Purdue shot 5/23 from three, which was 4/23 before Newman’s final shot.
When the final horn sounded, Indiana had a huge win at Mackey, and celebrations ensued.
Up Next
IU returns home for two games this week, vs. Iowa on Tuesday night and Sunday vs. Michigan. Tuesday’s game vs. the Hawkeyes starts at 7p ET on ESPN2. Mike Woodson is 0-3 vs. Iowa. The Hawkeyes came from behind in stunning fashion to defeat MSU on Saturday.
