Purdue’s Matt Painter Celebrates 500th Win in 97-79 Victory

UPDATE: In a thrilling matchup, the No. 2 Purdue Boilermakers triumphed over the Akron Zips with a decisive score of 97-79 on November 12, 2023, marking the 500th career victory for head coach Matt Painter. This landmark win solidifies Painter’s legacy, as he now boasts 475 wins with Purdue and 25 wins at Southern Illinois.

JUST IN: The Boilermakers showcased their dominance on the court, led by standout performances from Trey Kaufman-Renn, who scored 17 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, and Oscar Cluff, who contributed 14 points. The team’s performance included an impressive rebounding advantage of 45-26, with 19 offensive rebounds fueling their success in the paint.

The game began slowly for Purdue, but Fletcher Loyer ignited the offense, scoring 16 points overall, while Braden Smith added 16 points and recorded a team-high 10 assists. Despite a less-than-stellar shooting performance from beyond the arc in the second half, where they made just 1 of 11 attempts, Purdue maintained control throughout the game.

The Boilermakers established a commanding lead by halftime, heading into the locker room with a 52-39 advantage. They shot an impressive 53% from the field in the first half, while Akron struggled at 42%. Purdue’s ability to dominate the paint resulted in a staggering 46-18 edge in points in the paint, underscoring their physical presence on the court.

Akron’s Tavari Johnson led his team with 20 points, but the Zips struggled against Purdue’s defense, particularly Shammah Scott, who was held to just 9 points on 4-of-13 shooting. As the game progressed, it became clear that Purdue’s tactical prowess and physicality were too much for Akron to handle.

As Purdue looks ahead, they will face off against Memphis on November 16, 2023, in the Baha Mar Championship in Nassau, Bahamas. Meanwhile, Akron is set to compete against Iona on November 17, 2023, in the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

The excitement surrounding Matt Painter’s milestone victory is palpable, and fans are eager to see how Purdue will perform in their upcoming games. This victory not only celebrates a significant achievement for Painter but also sets the tone for a promising season ahead for the Boilermakers.