LINCOLN, Neb. — Purdue escaped a late-game meltdown and an overtime scare to beat Nebraska 80-77 on Tuesday night, clinching the victory on Oscar Cluff’s go-ahead basket with 5.2 seconds left in OT. The Boilermakers built a dominant lead early — opening quickly and attacking the glass — only to see a 22-point margin evaporate during an 18-2 Husker run in the second half. Purdue needed overtime after finishing 11 of 20 from the free-throw line and surviving a frenetic finish that included several missed foul shots. The road win keeps Purdue’s momentum heading into a Big Ten trip to Iowa on Saturday.
Key Takeaways
- Purdue won 80-77 in overtime; Oscar Cluff scored the decisive basket with 5.2 seconds left in OT.
- The Boilermakers jumped to a 14-1 start and led by as many as 22 points before Nebraska’s 18-2 run tightened the game.
- Purdue attempted a school-record 46 three-pointers, making 13 (28.3%); Fletcher Loyer attempted 17 threes, the second-most in school history.
- Purdue converted 11 of 20 free throws (55.0%), a factor that allowed Nebraska to force overtime late in regulation.
- Trey Kaufman-Renn collected 19 rebounds and Oscar Cluff had 14; Purdue out-rebounded Nebraska by 17 overall.
- Fletcher Loyer led Purdue with 18 points; Braden Smith finished with 13 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.
- CJ Cox and Jack Benter hit key three-pointers in the second half to halt Nebraska’s momentum temporarily.
Background
Purdue entered Lincoln looking to extend a non-conference road performance into late-season Big Ten positioning, relying on a veteran core that emphasizes perimeter shooting and rebound control. The Boilermakers’ game plan has centered on spacing and attacking the offensive glass; that approach produced early dividends in this matchup when Purdue turned offensive rebounds into second-chance points. Nebraska, playing at home, has shown resilience in stretches this season and capitalized on Purdue’s brief scoring droughts in the second half. With several consequential conference games approaching, each road result has outsized importance for NCAA tournament seeding and momentum.
Saturday’s upcoming game at Iowa presents a familiar challenge: Purdue handled the Hawkeyes 69-61 at home earlier this season, but road trips to Carver-Hawkeye Arena have historically been difficult. The Boilermakers’ reliance on the three-point shot has become a defining feature — a high-variance strategy that can produce large leads but also quick collapses when the perimeter shots stop falling. Coaching staff and players have emphasized endurance and execution late in games, knowing tight margins often decide conference standings and postseason placement.
Main Event
Purdue established control early, making four three-pointers before the first media timeout and building a 14-1 run that set the tone for the first half. The Boilermakers dominated the glass from the outset, converting several offensive rebounds into 10 first-half second-chance points, and extended their lead to as much as 22 in the second half. Nebraska responded with an 18-2 stretch that erased the cushion, forcing Purdue to rely on perimeter scoring and late stops to cling to the lead. CJ Cox and Jack Benter each buried critical threes in the stretch that briefly steadied Purdue’s ship, but free-throw misses in the final minutes of regulation allowed Nebraska to push the game into overtime.
In extra time, the game remained tight until Oscar Cluff grabbed a go-ahead basket with 5.2 seconds remaining. Nebraska turned the ball over on the ensuing possession, and Purdue held on for the 80-77 finish. Statistically, the game was a microcosm of Purdue’s season: strong rebounding and heavy three-point usage offset by inconsistent free-throw shooting and stretches of cold perimeter offense. Head coach Matt Painter pointed to a possession advantage and the team’s effort on the glass as decisive factors in a game that felt closer than the final margin suggested.
Analysis & Implications
Purdue’s 46 three-point attempts — a new school record — illustrate the team’s modern offensive identity: aggressive spacing, frequent perimeter shots and a willingness to chase high-value looks. That strategy produced an early blowout but also introduced volatility; making just 13 of those 46 attempts (28.3%) meant Purdue could not rely on outside scoring to close the game, forcing more dependence on offensive rebounds and late-game execution. The disparity between perimeter attempts and makes suggests the Boilermakers will need improved shot selection and better late-clock creation to avoid similar scares.
The rebounding advantage (Purdue +17) and individual efforts from Kaufman-Renn (19 boards) and Cluff (14) were decisive; second-chance points kept Purdue afloat when threes weren’t falling. If Purdue can consistently convert offensive rebounds into points, it can mitigate cold shooting nights. Conversely, opponents who match Purdue’s physicality on the glass could blunt that corrective mechanism and expose the team’s free-throw inconsistency.
Free-throw execution remains a clear shortcoming: 11-for-20 from the line is an area that opponents can exploit late in games. Missed opportunities at the stripe helped Nebraska force overtime, and the Boilermakers will need improved foul-line performance in close conference games where every possession matters. Over the next stretch — including the trip to Iowa — Purdue’s ability to close games will influence not just its conference record but also seeding perceptions ahead of March.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | Purdue | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 80 | OT win vs Nebraska (77) |
| Three-point attempts | 46 | School record (previous: 36) |
| Three-point makes | 13 (28.3%) | Low conversion despite volume |
| Free throws | 11 of 20 (55.0%) | Regulation misses helped force OT |
| Top rebounders | Kaufman-Renn 19, Cluff 14 | Rebounding margin +17 |
The table summarizes the game’s decisive numbers: high-volume three-point shooting, strong rebounding and inadequate free-throw shooting combined to produce a close finish despite an early blowout. Those variables form a checklist for what Purdue must sustain or improve to secure cleaner wins in coming weeks.
Reactions & Quotes
“We had 20 more possessions than them, and we needed all of them.”
Matt Painter, Purdue head coach (postgame)
Painter emphasized possession advantage and rebounding as keys to surviving Nebraska’s comeback. The comment underlines the coaching staff’s belief that effort on the glass and extra offensive opportunities offset the team’s shaky late free-throw shooting.
“Once I saw Fletch get stuck, I knew what his first thought was. His first thought was always to go for me, and I was ready to catch it and go.”
Oscar Cluff, Purdue forward (postgame)
Cluff described the decisive play in overtime and highlighted awareness and chemistry on the final possession. His game-high rebound total and clutch basket reinforced his impact on both ends of the floor.
Unconfirmed
- Painter’s remark that Purdue had “20 more possessions” comes from his postgame comment; the exact possession differential was not independently verified in the box score included with this report.
- Attribution of Nebraska’s late surge to specific defensive adjustments (e.g., press vs. zone) is descriptive; a detailed play-by-play or coach breakdown would be required to confirm tactical causes.
Bottom Line
Purdue’s 80-77 overtime victory in Lincoln was a study in contrasts: dominant rebounding and early offensive control paired with late-game shooting woes and free-throw lapses. The Boilermakers’ record-setting 46 three-point attempts point to an identity centered on perimeter shooting, but the low conversion rate and missed free throws turned a comfortable lead into a tense finish. Individual effort on the glass — particularly from Kaufman-Renn and Cluff — ultimately compensated for the team’s shooting cold spell.
Looking ahead, Purdue must tighten late-game execution and improve foul-line consistency to turn narrow escapes into routine wins. The upcoming trip to Iowa will be an immediate gauge of whether the team has corrected the issues that nearly cost them this road game; sustained rebounding and better free-throw performance will be crucial if Purdue hopes to avoid similar scares as the conference schedule intensifies.
Sources
- On3 — Game recap and postgame quotes (sports media)