Purdue Survives USC 76-71 in Big Ten Tournament

In a tense Big Ten tournament match, No. 20 Purdue overcame a sluggish start to secure a 76-71 victory against 14th-seeded USC. Trey Kaufman-Renn led the Boilermakers with 30 points, helping them rally from a 10-point deficit to tie the game at halftime. The game featured a significant momentum shift, as Purdue capitalized on USC's turnovers, particularly during a critical 10-1 run. Despite USC's strong performance, highlighted by Desmond Claude's 18 points, Purdue managed to clinch victory with solid free throw shooting in the final moments. The Boilermakers will next face third-seeded Michigan, aiming to build on this win as they seek a deeper tournament run. Purdue's focus remains on taking each game as it comes, emphasizing the need for consistent performance throughout the tournament.