Smith Excels in #1 Boiler win over Iowa

Boilers Pound Boards/Smith Excels in win over Iowa.

by: Steven Stremming

photos by: Anthony Harper/Excel H Sports/Indiana Sports Network

On yet another sellout night in Mackey Arena (54 consecutive games) the #1 Purdue Boilermakers came out on fire, that is with the exception of the first play of the game, where Iowa stole the ball and converted an uncontested lay-up, by the way, the only Hawkeye lead of the game.

The next few minutes of the game saw the Boilers open up a nineteen to four lead, on the terrific play of Braden Smith (Westfield, Indiana). Braden is a freshman, but at this time of the year, that is a moniker in name only.

photo by: Anthony Harper/Excel H Sports/Indiana Sports Network

Smith would drive the lane for layups, deftly pass the ball to other teammates and simply make Iowa’s night, darn right miserable.

Smith would end the night on eight of ten from two-point field goal range and four of five from behind the three-point line. Add another four free throws (on four attempts), garner four boards and hand out a Purdue game high five assists. Smith’s total for the night 24 points.

Another Boiler who stepped his game up was Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christians’ Caleb Furst, who would pull in ten rebounds, including four offensive boards and a terrific put back early in the second half which increased the decibels of an already raucous Mackey Arena crowd.

photo by: Anthony Harper/Excel H Sports/Indiana Sports Network

Furst would end the night perfect from the field, with five made field goals and a three from the corner that added to the incredible noise level.

Furst would end his night with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Mason Gillis, the New Castle, Indiana product would once again, have another solid night with ten points and four rebounds and some solid defense.

photo by: Anthony Harper/Excel H Sports/Indiana Sports Network

Fletcher Loyer would be formidable once again with 17 points and some deftly shot field goals included in his over-all production. Loyer would end his night seven of sixteen from the field.

photo by: Anthony Harper/Excel H Sports/Indiana Sports Network

Ethan “Salt” Morton would not be a major scorer but added his normal solid line with four assists and two steals and defense and over-all hustle.

And yes, Purdue’s “Rock” Zach Edey would finish with another double-double, as Zach would score fourteen points, and four were late in the game when Iowa made their run, off of laser pointed passes from Smith. Edey would record another fourteen boards and show off his passing skills while being quad-drupeld in the paint with four assists.

photo by: Anthony Harper/Excel H Sports/Indiana Sports Network

The Iowa Hawkeyes made a late run cutting the Boiler lead from twenty-one (21) down to six, with an opportunity to cut it to five but the Boiler defense stood tall and turned back the effort of a spirited Hawkeye team.

Kris Murray showed once again, why he is an elite national player, let alone a probable first-team B1G Ten player by scoring 24 points on ten of sixteen from the field. Filip Rebraca showed once again, he is one of the most improved players in the conference by scoring 17 points.

photo by: Anthony Harper/Excel H Sports/Indiana Sports Network

Former Lawrence North student/athlete Tony Perkins added eight points for the Hawkeyes.

Once of the best moments of the night was Patrick McCaffery once again on the floor participating. Patrick would end up scoring nine points and some steady defense.

photo by: Anthony Harper/Excel H Sports/Indiana Sports Network

As we all remember, Patrick sought mental health help earlier in the season and was in the forefront of showing everyone it’s okay to get help. We applaud his efforts. Well done, Patrick.

 

Editor’s note: Braden Smith was a two-time recipient of our Indiana Class Basketball All Star Classic events.

As a future, he collected our Fellowship of Christian Athletes Mental Attitude Award and as a Junior collected the Most Outstanding player of the game award.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oV-OrHk0VK0  Matt Painter Post Game

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVvMmZAwdNc  Fran McCaffery Post Game

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0bozCb0LZw   Purdue Players Post Game

all post game videos were produced by: Cainan Harper

per Purdue University Athletics:

• Purdue improved to 23-2 overall and 12-2 in the Big Ten with an 87-73 win over Iowa in front of 14,876 fans at Mackey Arena – the 54^th consecutive sellout at Mackey Arena.
• Purdue is 23-2 for the third time in school history (2017-18, 1987-88). The Boilermakers are 23-2 overall for the second time in six seasons.
• The win was the 250^th at Mackey Arena for head coach Matt Painter, now owning a 250-43 (.853) record in Mackey Arena.
• Purdue is 20-10 under Matt Painter against Iowa and has won five straight games in Mackey Arena against Iowa by a total of 95 points.
• Purdue has now won at least 12 Big Ten games for the eighth time in the last nine years. Wisconsin (6 years) and Maryland and Michigan State (5 years) are next.
• Purdue’s eight fouls were the fourth fewest in a game in school history and tied for the fewest in a Big Ten game.
• Purdue’s 87 points were its most since scoring 89 against Minnesota on Dec. 4, 2021. Purdue has won 47 straight games when scoring 80 or more points. Purdue is 69-2 when scoring 80 or more points since the 2017-18 season.
• Purdue went 10-of-27 from 3-point range and has now won 28 straight games when making 10 or more triples.
• Purdue shot 55.0 percent from the field, the fifth straight game that Purdue has shot 50.0 percent or better from the field. It marks the first time since Jan. 6 to Jan. 31, 1990 (7 games), that Purdue has shot at least 50.0 percent from the field in five straight Big Ten games.
• Purdue had five players in double-figures for the first time since Dec. 7, 2022, vs. Hofstra.
• Purdue won the battle of the boards by a 43-23 advantage. Over the last three games, Purdue has outrebounded its opponents by 55 rebounds (119-64).
• Purdue freshmen scored 43 points with 11 assists and six rebounds.
• Braden Smith scored a career-high 24 points with 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 1 steal. He went 8-of-10 from the field, 4-of-5 from 3-point range and 4-of-4 from the free throw line.
• Smith’s 110 assists this year are the fifth most for a freshman in school history. He is one of just two freshmen in school history with 240 points, 110 rebounds and 110 assists (Ronnie Johnson – 2013).
• Zach Edey recorded his 20^th double double of the season with 14 points, 14 rebounds, 5 blocks and 4 assists. He was just 4-of-7 from the field and 6-of-6 from the free throw line. It marked just the 10^th time in 24 games he has been held under 20 points.
• Caleb Furst recorded his third double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds. He went 5-of-5 from the field.
• Fletcher Loyer tallied 17 points with 4 assists and 2 rebounds. He moved into 12^th on the Purdue freshman scoring list and his 50 3-pointers are fourth on the freshman list.

per University of Iowa Athletics: