Purdue Basketball Advances After 76-71 Win Over USC

Purdue basketball advanced to the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament with a 76-71 victory over USC, despite trailing by 10 points in the first half. Trey Kaufman-Renn led the Boilermakers with a career-high 30 points, including crucial free throws in the final moments. Cam Heide played a vital role with nine points and 11 rebounds, helping Purdue recover from a slow start to tie the game before halftime. Big Ten Player of the Year Braden Smith contributed with 12 points and nine assists. The Boilermakers' inconsistent performance highlighted their recent struggles, having lost five of their previous seven games, but they showed resilience in this match. They are set to face Michigan in the next round of the tournament.