Fletcher Loyer helped No. 14 Purdue pull away with an impressive 21-point performance, leading five teammates in double figures to secure a 90-73 victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Monday night.
Contributing significantly to the win were Trey Kaufman-Renn, who scored 15 points, Myles Colvin with 14 points, Daniel Jacobsen adding 13, and Braden Smith contributing 12. Kaufman-Renn also grabbed nine rebounds, while Smith showcased his playmaking ability with 15 assists.
For the Islanders, Owen Dease led the scoring with 20 points, while Garry Clark added 14 points to the effort.
Purdue held a solid 49-33 lead at halftime, yet the Islanders fought back, narrowing the gap to just three points in the second half. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi displayed resilience, shooting 54% in the latter half to threaten Purdue’s lead.
College Basketball – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at Purdue
Throughout the game, the Boilermakers shot an impressive 56% compared to the Islanders’ 45%.
Before the game, Purdue proudly displayed its 2024 NCAA Final Four banner, commemorating its past appearances in 1980 and 1969, where they finished as runners-up in ’69.
Takeaways
For Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, the Islanders demonstrated strong play in the initial 14 minutes of the second half, showcasing their determination as they clawed back from a 16-point halftime deficit.
Key moment
With the score tightening to 70-67 after Clark’s 3-pointer with 6:43 left, Loyer responded by delivering a thrilling alley-oop assist to Jacobsen, energizing the crowd and shifting momentum. From that point, Purdue outscored the Islanders 20-6.
Key stat
Colvin made a notable impact off the bench, scoring all 14 of his points during the first half.
Up next
The Islanders will host Dallas Christian on Friday, while the Boilermakers are set to face Northern Kentucky at home on the same day.
