WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.: Jaden Ivey hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 0.6 seconds left and No. 6 Purdue fended off a late charge from No. 16 Ohio State for an 81-78 victory Sunday.
The Boilermakers led by 52-32 with 14:35 left in the game, but the Buckeyes methodically fought their way back and finally tied it at 78 on E.J. Liddell’s 3 with 25.3 seconds to go.
After a timeout, Ivey freed himself up for the winning shot right in front the Boilermakers bench. Ivey finished with 21 points and Zach Edey added 20 for the Boilermakers (18-3, 7-3 Big Ten), who have won three straight and six of seven.
Liddell and Malaki Branham each scored 20 points to lead the Buckeyes (13-5, 6-3), who have lost five times in their last six trips to Mackey Arena. Ohio State had won three straight overall.
While Ivey swung the game late, it was Sasha Stefanovic who initially gave Purdue control. He scored eight straight points for the Boilermakers and Ivey capped the 10-2 run with a short runner to make it 34-23.
When the Boilermakers extended their 39-30 lead by opening the second half with the first eight points, it looked like they would run away.
Instead the Buckeyes climbed back, closing to 76-72 on Liddell’s 7-footer with 1:06 left and 78-75 on his 3 with 33.5 seconds to go. And when Kyle Young stole the ensuing inbound pass, Liddell made the tying 3.
But Ivey answered with the winner.
BIG PICTURE
Ohio State: Coach Chris Holtmann’s squad came to West Lafayette playing well and finished strong. But an uncharacteristically poor shooting performance from 3-point range proved costly. The Buckeyes shot 31% from beyond the arc and struggled to match Purdue’s physical play until late.
Purdue: The Boilermakers can overwhelm opponents in multiple ways and they demonstrated it again Sunday. Purdue drew early fouls by repeatedly going inside, which opened the perimeter and driving lanes for Stefanovic and Ivey. This is the combination that makes Purdue one of the nation’s top teams. They just need a stronger finishing touch.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
A solid road victory followed by hanging on should keep Purdue in the top 10 for a 13th consecutive week and might be enough to get the Boilermakers back in the top five. Expect Ohio State to slip a few spots following a double-digit road loss against a strong foe that played a better all-around game.
BACK IN BLACK
Purdue wore black jerseys with volt accents for the annual Hammer Down Cancer game. The jerseys and warmup shirts eventually will be auctioned off with the proceeds being donated to the Purdue Center for Cancer Research.
UP NEXT
Ohio State: Returns home to face Iowa on Thursday.
Purdue: Visits Minnesota on Wednesday.
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