In a highly anticipated clash of basketball powerhouses, No. 13 Purdue defeated No. 2 Alabama 87-78 on Friday night, marking the Crimson Tide’s first loss of the season. In front of a roaring home crowd, Purdue’s ability to control the tempo proved decisive, particularly in the second half, as the Boilermakers capitalized on key offensive runs and defensive stops.
First Half: A Back-and-Forth Battle
The game began as a defensive grind, with both teams struggling to find rhythm offensively. Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn set the tone with a buzzer-beating three-pointer early, giving the Boilermakers an initial edge. Alabama responded with an emphatic alley-oop from center Cliff Omoruyi off a feed from Grant Nelson, signaling that the Crimson Tide wasn’t backing down.
Despite a shaky start from beyond the arc, Alabama leveraged its physicality inside the paint, with forward Mo Dioubate making his presence felt. In just two minutes of action, Dioubate tallied four free throws, two rebounds, and a block, helping Alabama narrow the gap. Purdue guards Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer countered with precision passing, enabling the Boilermakers to maintain a slim lead.
By the midpoint of the first half, Alabama’s offense began to click. Labaron Philon provided a much-needed spark, scoring seven consecutive points, including Alabama’s first three-pointer of the night. This surge helped the Crimson Tide take its first lead, albeit briefly. As the half wound down, both teams shifted their focus inside, drawing fouls and earning trips to the free-throw line.
The half ended dramatically when Alabama guard Mark Sears sank two free throws to reclaim the lead with seconds remaining, only for Loyer to drain a deep three at the buzzer, giving Purdue a 42-40 advantage at halftime.
Second Half: Purdue Seizes Control
The second half saw both teams attempting to impose their styles of play. Alabama’s high-octane offense began to shine, with Sears connecting from beyond the arc and Grant Nelson throwing down a thunderous dunk to quiet the Purdue faithful. However, the Crimson Tide’s momentum was interrupted when Omoruyi left the game momentarily, nursing what appeared to be a groin injury.
Purdue capitalized on the opportunity, with Loyer continuing to spearhead the Boilermakers’ attack. The game remained neck-and-neck until the 11-minute mark, when Purdue began to pull away. C.J. Cox ignited a pivotal 13-0 run, sinking three consecutive three-pointers to give the Boilermakers a seven-point cushion.
Alabama struggled to respond as turnovers and missed opportunities plagued its offense. While Latrell Wrightsell Jr. provided a glimmer of hope with back-to-back three-pointers late in the game, Purdue’s composure and efficiency ultimately proved insurmountable.
Purdue’s Decisive Late-Game Run
With just over three minutes remaining, Purdue held a 78-71 lead. Alabama’s attempts to close the gap were thwarted by the Boilermakers’ defensive discipline and clutch free-throw shooting. As the final buzzer sounded, Purdue secured the 87-78 victory, improving to 4-0 on the season and handing Alabama (3-1) its first loss.
Key Performers and Takeaways
Purdue’s ability to dictate tempo was critical, as the team effectively slowed Alabama’s typically relentless pace. Loyer’s scoring and Cox’s sharpshooting provided the offensive firepower needed to overcome the Crimson Tide’s athleticism.
For Alabama, Wrightsell Jr. and Sears were standout contributors, but inconsistent shooting and costly turnovers hindered their ability to sustain momentum. Omoruyi’s temporary absence also disrupted Alabama’s interior presence, further tipping the scales in Purdue’s favor.
While this loss exposed vulnerabilities in Alabama’s game, it also underscored the team’s potential when firing on all cylinders. The Crimson Tide will look to regroup as they continue their challenging early-season schedule, while Purdue has firmly established itself as a team to watch in the national conversation.
