#1 Purdue 80, Penn State 60 (Postgame Notes)
- Purdue improved to 22-1 overall and 11-1 in the Big Ten with an 80-60 win over Penn State in front of the 53rd straight sellout at Mackey Arena. The win gives Purdue a three-and-a-half game lead on Rutgers and Illinois with eight games to play.
- Purdue is just the third Big Ten team since 2000 to start a season with a 22-1 record (24-0 by Ohio State in 2011; 29-0 by Illinois in 2005).
- Purdue is 11-1 in the Big Ten for just the fifth time in school history (2023, 2018, 2008, 1988, 1969).
- Purdue is now 45-13 all-time against Penn State, including 24-3 in Mackey Arena. Over the last 33 games, Purdue is 29-4 against the Nittany Lions.
- Over the last 60 games, Purdue is 51-9 (.850), the second-best, 60-game stretch in Purdue history (52-8 from Nov. 1986, to March 1988).
- Purdue’s nine-game winning streak is the fifth-longest streak in the country. The Boilermakers have had two separate 9-game winning streaks in three previous seasons (2023, 2010, 1996, 1988).
- Holding Penn State to 60 points, Purdue has held all 23 opponents to 70 or fewer points.
- Purdue’s 14, 3-pointers were a season high.
- Purdue averaged 1.43 points / possession for the game, including 1.67 for the second half.
- Purdue outrebounded Penn State 38-19, including 17-7 in the second half. Both teams had just seven turnovers.
- Purdue’s bench outscored Penn State’s bench by a 39-15 margin.
- Mason Gillis scored a career-high 29 points, making nine 3-pointers. The nine 3-pointers were the most for a Purdue player in Mackey Arena history and tied for the second most in a game in Purdue history behind Carsen Edwards (10 vs. Virginia; 3-30-19). His previous career high was 14 points.
- Gillis’ 29 points off the bench were the most by a major-conference player this season.
- Zach Edey recorded 18 points and 13 rebounds in just 28 minutes for his 18th double-double of the season, tied for the second most in a season in school history (28 by Caleb Swanigan in 2017).
- Braden Smith dominated the floor game with nine points, nine assists and five rebounds with no turnovers. In two games against Penn State, Smith had 24 points, 11 rebounds and 16 assists against just one turnover.