The Purdue Boilermakers pulled off a huge upset on Saturday night, taking down the No. 1 ranked Arizona Wildcats 92-84 in an NCAA showdown. The Boilermakers were led by a stellar performance from guards Eric Loyer and Jahaad Smith.
Loyer had a career-high 28 points and Smith added 24 points and 8 rebounds. The two guards combined for 52 of Purdue’s 92 points, and their hot shooting from beyond the arc was the difference in the game. Loyer went 4-7 from three-point range while Smith was 5-10.
The Boilermakers were able to take control of the game early on, building a double-digit lead in the first half. They were able to maintain their lead throughout the second half despite a late surge from the Wildcats.
The win was a huge one for Purdue, who had been struggling in recent weeks. It was also a big statement win for the Boilermakers, who showed that they can compete with the best teams in the country.
The victory was also a big one for Loyer and Smith, who have been key contributors for Purdue all season long. Loyer is averaging 16.2 points per game while Smith is averaging 13.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
The win over Arizona is sure to give Purdue a huge boost of confidence as they head into the NCAA tournament. With Loyer and Smith leading the way, the Boilermakers could be a dangerous team come March Madness.
