Braden Smith Powers Purdue 79-72 Past Iowa With Comeback/ TezzBuzz/ Washington/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Braden Smith scored all 16 of his points in the second half to help No. 5 Purdue erase a nine-point deficit and beat Iowa 79-72. Smith also tied a Big Ten record for assists. The Boilermakers remain unbeaten in conference play.
Purdue Comeback Win Over Iowa: Quick Looks
- Braden Smith scored all 16 points in second half
- Smith tied Big Ten record with 478 league assists
- No. 5 Purdue overcame a 9-point second-half deficit
- Purdue improves to 16-1 overall, 6-0 in Big Ten
- Eighth straight win for Boilermakers; fifth 6-0 start since 1940
- Trey Kaufman-Renn added 12 points, Loyer 11, Cluff 10
- Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz led all scorers with 19 points
- Iowa falls to 0-4 vs. ranked teams this season
- Hawkeyes have now lost 10 straight to top-10 opponents
- Purdue sealed win with late free throws, strong closing defense
Deep Look: Braden Smith Powers Purdue 79-72 Past Iowa With Comeback
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Braden Smith put on a second-half clinic Wednesday night, scoring all 16 of his points after halftime to rally No. 5 Purdue from a nine-point deficit and lift the Boilermakers to a 79-72 win over Iowa in Big Ten play.
Smith also made history, tying Cassius Winston’s Big Ten record with 478 career assists in league games, helping Purdue remain unbeaten in conference play and extend their winning streak to eight games.
It was a tale of two halves for Smith, who struggled early but took full control in the final 20 minutes. After Iowa built a 10-0 run to lead 48-39 with 14:36 left, Smith sparked a furious 14-4 surge that flipped the game. His playmaking, including clutch assists and free throws, helped Purdue (16-1, 6-0 Big Ten) maintain its perfect record in conference action.
Key Contributions Fuel Boilermakers’ Rally
Beyond Smith’s heroics, Purdue got balanced scoring from its supporting cast. Trey Kaufman-Renn scored 12 points, Fletcher Rent added 11and Oscar Cluff chipped in 10. The team’s depth and poise proved critical down the stretch, especially as Iowa tried repeatedly to regain control.
Iowa (12-5, 2-4 Big Ten) showed resilience and led multiple times in the second half. Bennett Stirtz led the Hawkeyes with 19 pointsand Kael Combs added 16. But once again, Iowa fell short against elite competition. The team is now 0-4 against ranked opponents this season and has lost 10 straight games against top-10 teams dating back to 2021.
Turning Point
With 5:17 remaining, Tate Sage buried a 3-pointer to tie the game at 64-64threatening to swing momentum back toward Iowa. But Purdue answered immediately. Kaufman Race broke the tie with a free throw, and then Smith assisted on a Cluff layupfollowed by Loyer’s two free throws. Smith sealed the win at the line with a pair of free throws with 1:04 left, icing a game that tested Purdue’s toughness.
It was a gritty comeback that showcased the Boilermakers’ veteran leadership and depth—traits that continue to position them as national title contenders.
Historical Start for Purdue
The victory marks just the fifth time since 1940 that Purdue has started 6-0 in Big Ten play. The Boilermakers, who already boast a strong non-conference resume, remain one of the most consistent programs under head coach Matt Painter. They’ve now beaten every unranked team on their schedule and are finding new ways to win close games.
What’s Next
- Iowa will try to regroup when they travel to face Indiana on Saturday.
- Purdue will head west for a tough matchup against Southern California on Saturday night, looking to extend their winning streak and solidify their top-five ranking.
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