URGENT UPDATE: Matt Painter has officially reached a career milestone with his 500th victory as head coach, leading the No. 2 Purdue Boilermakers to a commanding 97-79 win over the Akron Zips on November 12, 2023, in West Lafayette, Indiana. This historic win solidifies Painter’s legacy, as he has amassed 475 wins with Purdue and 25 wins at Southern Illinois.
Trey Kaufman-Renn shone brightly in this game, scoring 17 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. Oscar Cluff contributed significantly with 14 points, while Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer each added 16 points. Smith also provided a team-high 10 assists, despite struggling with his shooting (4-of-12).
This victory not only marks a personal achievement for Painter but also highlights Purdue’s strong performance, as they dominated the boards with a 45-26 rebounding advantage, including an impressive 19 offensive rebounds. The Boilermakers showcased their offensive prowess, outscoring Akron 46-18 in the paint.
The Zips, now with a record of 3-1, were led by Tavari Johnson, who scored 20 points. However, Akron’s Shammah Scott, averaging 14.3 points per game, was limited to just 9 points on 4-of-13 shooting.
Purdue stormed into halftime with a comfortable 52-39 lead, thanks in part to their early success from beyond the arc, hitting 8 of 12 three-pointers. Although they struggled in the second half with just 1 of 11 from three-point range, their first-half performance set the tone for the win.
Loyer made a significant impact early, scoring 11 of Purdue’s first 15 points. The Boilermakers took control of the game with a three-pointer from Omer Mayer, bringing the score to 20-17 and ensuring they would not look back.
Looking ahead, the Boilermakers (now 4-0) will face Memphis on November 16 in the Baha Mar Championship in Nassau, Bahamas, while Akron prepares to challenge Iona in the Paradise Jam on November 17 in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
This milestone win not only elevates Purdue’s standing in college basketball but also adds to the excitement surrounding the team’s promising season. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how far Painter can take this talented roster as they continue their quest for greatness.
