Texas A&M 70-66 Purdue (December 14, 2024) Game Recap

On By Littum

INDIANAPOLIS — — Zhuric Phelps and Pharrel Payne each scored 16 points Saturday to lead No. 17 at Texas A&M past no. 11 Purdue 70-66 in the first of two games at the Indy Classic.

The Aggies (9-2) have won five in a row. Payne had season-high totals in points and rebounds with nine. All-SEC guard Wade Taylor IV finished with 15 points and five assists before an injury forced him to leave with 1:36 remaining.

Braden Smith led the Boilermakers (8-3) with 15 points, six rebounds and six assists. Fletcher Loyer had 12 points as Purdue lost for the second time in three games.

It was a physical contest between two teams that thrive on rebounding with bodies repeatedly hitting the floor and several players leaving with injuries. Smith went short in the first half when his head appeared to hit Payne’s knee and the referees stopped play for Taylor as he struggled to dribble past midfield. Taylor did not return.

Texas A&M’s defense swung the game by holding the Boilermakers scoreless for a 6:35 stretch in the second half, allowing the Aggies to extend a two-point lead to 62-50.

Takeaways

Texas A&M: The Aggies rebound and defend as well as any team in the country. The devastating combination helped the team pick up a rare non-conference loss at Purdue — and added a strong line to their NCAA Tournament resume.

Purdue: The Boilermakers’ bugaboo this season has been turnovers, and that was the case again Saturday. Purdue struggled for long stretches in the second half, committing 16 more turnovers, giving it 48 over the last three games.

Key moment

After Purdue trimmed a seven-point deficit to 52-50, the Aggies held off the Boilermakers and scored 10 straight points to extend the lead to 62-50 with 4:44 left.

Key state

Purdue had its third-lowest shooting percentage of the season (45.3%). Texas A&M has held all 11 of its opponents below their season average.

Next

The Aggies return to action Friday night when they host Houston Christian. Purdue faces another ranked foe, No. 2 Auburn, next Saturday in Birmingham, Alabama.

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