Overview
- Oscar Cluff finished a perfect 9-for-9 from the field with 22 points and 11 rebounds, tying Caleb Swanigan for the most points in a Purdue game on 100% shooting.
- Braden Smith handed out 10 assists and became just the second Division I player to reach 1,500 points, 850 assists and 550 rebounds in a career.
- Purdue controlled the interior with a 36-22 edge in paint points and a 38-29 rebounding advantage, while holding Marquette to 32.8% shooting and 8-of-31 from three.
- A 12-0 first-half burst built a 21-8 cushion, the halftime lead was 37-21, and Cluff scored 13 straight early in the second half as the margin swelled to 30.
- The Boilermakers improved to 10-1 and pause for finals before facing No. 21 Auburn in Indianapolis, while Marquette fell to 5-6 despite Royce Parham’s career-high 19 points.