No. 13 Purdue upset No. 2 Alabama 87-78 in one of the marquee nonconference showdowns of the 2024-25 college basketball season on Friday night. With the upset win, the Boilermakers extended the nation's longest active nonconference win streak to 39, which ties Arizona (2011-14) for the fourth-longest in Division l history.
Purdue has now won its last 21 home games, the fourth-longest active streak among Division l teams. Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn scored a game-high 26 points with eight rebounds and four assists. Purdue guard Braden Smith finished with a double-double (17 points, 10 assists) and backcourt teammate Fletcher Loyer added 17 points.
The Boilermakers jumped out to a 42-40 halftime advantage, but Alabama countered to take a 65-59 lead midway through the second half. Purdue ended the game on a 28-13 run during the final 10 minutes of regulation to seal the win.
Spin-and-slam by Kaufman-Renn 💥 @BoilerBall #B1GMBBall on Peacock 💻 pic.twitter.com/gNfRBMCpNn
— Big Ten Men's Basketball (@B1GMBBall) November 16, 2024
Alabama freshman guard Labaron Philon continued his hot start with 18 points, five rebounds and four assists. Preseason National Player of the Year and returning All-American guard Mark Sears struggled to find his shot and finished with 15 points on 5 of 15 shooting.
Alabama has now lost its last seven road games against ranked opponents. The Crimson Tide went 0-4 against ranked foes on the road last season with losses to Creighton, Tennessee, Auburn and Kentucky. This game was a rematch of last season's showdown in Toronto, a game Purdue won 92-86.
The Crimson Tide (3-1) will face Illinois next in Birmingham on Wednesday. Purdue (4-0) will travel to Milwaukee to face No. 15 Marquette next on Tuesday.
