Imagine watching a basketball game where a team builds a massive lead, only to see it slip away in the final moments, forcing overtime. That’s exactly what happened to Purdue in their nail-biting matchup against Nebraska—a game that had fans on the edge of their seats until the very last second. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was Purdue’s victory a testament to their resilience, or did Nebraska simply let it slip through their fingers? Let’s dive in.
In a thrilling showdown in Lincoln, Purdue managed to escape with an 80-77 overtime win, thanks to Oscar Cluff’s clutch basket with just 5.2 seconds left on the clock. The Boilermakers started the game on fire, dominating the first 30 minutes and racing to a 20-point lead. They hit four three-pointers before the first media timeout and stifled Nebraska’s offense, jumping out to a commanding 14-1 advantage. Purdue’s dominance on the glass was undeniable, with 10 second-chance points in the first half alone. Trey Kaufman-Renn and Cluff were unstoppable on the boards, out-rebounding Nebraska by a staggering 17 rebounds.
And this is the part most people miss: Despite their early control, Purdue’s lead began to crumble in the second half. Nebraska mounted an 18-2 run, cutting a 22-point deficit to just five with seven minutes remaining. CJ Cox and Jack Benter hit crucial three-pointers to seemingly steady the ship, but Purdue’s struggles at the free-throw line—finishing 11-of-20—kept the door open for Nebraska. Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, and Cox all missed critical foul shots late in regulation, sending the game to overtime.
In the extra period, Cluff’s heroics sealed the deal, but not before Nebraska had a chance to tie or take the lead. A turnover by the Cornhuskers in the final seconds allowed Purdue to escape with the win. Cluff later revealed his mindset during the play: ‘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.’
Statistically, Purdue’s performance was a mixed bag. Fletcher Loyer led the team with 18 points, while Braden Smith stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds. Kaufman-Renn’s 19 rebounds and Cluff’s 14 were game-changing. However, Purdue set a school record by attempting 46 three-pointers—shattering the previous mark of 36—but made just 13 (28.3%). Loyer’s 17 three-point attempts were the second-most in school history, trailing only Carsen Edwards’ 19 in the 2019 Elite Eight loss to Virginia.
Now, here’s the controversial question: Did Purdue win this game, or did Nebraska lose it? The Boilermakers’ poor free-throw shooting and reliance on three-pointers could have easily cost them the victory. Yet, their resilience and clutch plays in overtime ultimately secured the win. Coach Matt Painter acknowledged the team’s grit, saying, ‘We had 20 more possessions than them, and we needed all of them.’
Looking ahead, Purdue faces Iowa next in Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Saturday. The Boilermakers edged out the Hawkeyes 69-61 in their last meeting, thanks to a strong second half from Braden Smith. ‘It’s just the beginning,’ Cluff said. ‘We have a huge couple of games coming up and need to keep it rolling all the way until April.’
What do you think? Was Purdue’s win a display of resilience, or did Nebraska let the game slip away? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
