Reigning College Basketball Player of the Year Zach Edey of Purdue reached a couple of significant milestones during his team's game against Rutgers on Sunday. Although Edey downplayed his personal accomplishments, his 26-point, 12-rebound performance played a crucial role in Purdue's hard-fought 68-60 victory over the Scarlet Knights.
Scoring his 2,000th career point and becoming the sixth player in Big Ten Conference history to achieve both 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds were impressive feats for the senior center. However, Edey nonchalantly referred to these achievements as just another accomplishment.
Undoubtedly, beating Rutgers on their home court meant more to Edey and the Boilermakers. It was a matchup Edey eagerly anticipated, as Purdue had experienced a three-game losing streak at Jersey Mike's Arena. The win finally broke that streak and gave Edey a sense of satisfaction.
Purdue's victory over Rutgers was not an easy one, though. Despite holding a 14-point lead early in the second half, the Scarlet Knights staged a strong comeback twice, narrowing the deficit to just two points. Guard Braden Smith's clutch floater, along with his 19-point contribution, helped push Purdue to their fifth consecutive win.
For Rutgers, Aundre Hyatt and Cliff Omoruyi provided significant contributions with 15 and 13 points, respectively. The team managed to shoot an impressive 50% in the second half, making it a challenging game for Purdue. Freshman Gavin Griffiths also came off the bench and made a valuable contribution with a crucial jumper that cut Purdue's lead to just two points.
However, in crucial moments, Purdue's experience and talent shone through. Smith delivered a pivotal shot, while Fletcher Loyer calmly sank three free throws after being fouled on a long-range attempt. Edey's dominant presence in the paint culminated in a game-sealing dunk.
Although Rutgers outrebounded Purdue 36-32, including a significant advantage of 15-6 on the offensive boards, head coach Steve Pikiell acknowledged the challenge of defending against Edey's towering stature. Pikiell emphasized the effort his player, Cliff Omoruyi, put into battling Edey throughout the game.
Rutgers struggled in the final minutes, failing to make any field goals in the last 2:02 of the game and only making two in the final 5:19. This loss marked Rutgers' second defeat at home in 11 games this season, highlighting the team's struggle to put together a complete 40-minute performance.
Looking ahead, Purdue will host Northwestern in their upcoming game on Wednesday. With four wins and two losses on the road, the Boilermakers will soon enjoy a more favorable schedule with six of their final ten conference games taking place at home, where they remain undefeated in league play this season.
On the other hand, Rutgers will look to bounce back as they host Penn State also on Wednesday. The Scarlet Knights will need to improve their consistency and put together complete performances to avoid missing the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season.
All eyes will be on Zach Edey and the Purdue Boilermakers as they continue their impressive season, aiming for more victories and potentially another deep run in the postseason. Their recent win over Rutgers showcased their resilience and ability to weather storms, keeping them poised for success in the competitive Big Ten Conference.
