Purdue Tops High Point in March Madness Opener \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Fourth-seeded Purdue defeated High Point 75-63 in their NCAA Tournament first-round matchup. Trey Kaufman-Renn led the Boilermakers with 21 points and eight rebounds, while Braden Smith added 20 points and six assists. Purdue advances to face the winner of Clemson vs. McNeese State on Saturday.
Purdue Defeats High Point in March Madness Quick Looks
- Purdue beat High Point 75-63 in NCAA first-round action.
- Trey Kaufman-Renn led Purdue with 21 points and eight rebounds.
- Braden Smith contributed 20 points and six assists for the Boilermakers.
- Purdue avoided another early exit after last year’s title game run.
- High Point, in its first-ever NCAA appearance, had won 14 straight.
- The game stayed close before Purdue’s second-half surge.
- Purdue dominated in the paint, outscoring High Point 38-22 inside.
- The Boilermakers also held a massive 45-24 rebounding advantage.
- Coach Matt Painter praised veteran leadership for steadying the team.
- Purdue faces either Clemson or McNeese State in the second round.
Deep Look
The Purdue Boilermakers took a significant first step in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, defeating the feisty High Point Panthers 75-63 in a tightly contested first-round battle on Thursday. The fourth-seeded Boilermakers leaned on their veteran leadership, rebounding dominance, and clutch shot-making to overcome a determined 13th-seeded High Point squad that showed why it had won 14 straight games entering the tournament.
Purdue’s victory was fueled by the outstanding play of forward Trey Kaufman-Renn, who delivered 21 points and eight rebounds. His ability to step up in critical moments proved vital for the Boilermakers, especially when High Point threatened to swing momentum in their favor. Kaufman-Renn’s smooth fadeaway jumper with just under eight minutes to play halted a furious comeback attempt by the Panthers and sparked a 7-0 Purdue run that put the game out of reach.
Braden Smith, the Big Ten Player of the Year, showcased his poise and leadership, scoring 20 points and dishing out six assists. After experiencing heartbreak in previous tournaments, including Purdue’s shocking loss as a No. 1 seed to a 16-seed in 2023, Smith and his fellow upperclassmen made sure history wouldn’t repeat itself.
“The game was so back and forth the entire time,” Smith said postgame. “I think me, Trey, and all these other guys who have been through it, we understand how to keep our composure and stay with the game.”
High Point, making its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance since joining Division I in 1999, did not go quietly. The Panthers, under second-year head coach Alan Huss, played with the confidence of a team that belonged on college basketball’s biggest stage. D’Maurian Williams led High Point with 12 points, while Trae Benham added 11.
The first half was a battle of runs, with Purdue finally creating separation thanks to a 17-7 surge that gave them a 37-27 halftime advantage. But High Point refused to be rattled. A thunderous dunk by Juslin Bodo Bodo cut the Boilermakers’ lead to just three points at 59-56 with under eight minutes remaining, sending shockwaves through the arena.
That’s when Purdue’s experience took over. Kaufman-Renn’s fadeaway jumper, followed by key defensive stops and rebounding dominance, allowed the Boilermakers to go on a decisive 7-0 run. Head coach Matt Painter, who has seen his share of tournament highs and lows, credited his team’s maturity and leadership for weathering the storm.
“You get into trouble when you don’t move into the next play,” Painter said. “The crowd gets into it, the game gets tight — but the guys stayed focused and kept doing their job.”
Purdue’s victory was built on more than just clutch shots; it was their paint dominance and rebounding that ultimately wore down High Point. The Boilermakers outscored the Panthers 38-22 in the paint and crushed them on the glass with a 45-24 rebounding advantage. That physicality on the boards allowed Purdue to control the tempo, limit High Point’s second-chance opportunities, and steadily build their lead.
“That’s what won us the game,” Kaufman-Renn said. “We’ve put more emphasis on rebounding from a player standpoint lately, and we’ve got to keep that up if we want to keep winning.”
While Purdue advances to the second round of the Midwest Region to face the winner of Clemson vs. McNeese State, the future also looks bright for High Point. Coach Alan Huss has quickly established himself as a rising star, using the transfer portal effectively to bring in experienced players who have elevated the program.
“We certainly hope so,” Huss said when asked if High Point’s success could be sustained. “Doesn’t matter where you come from. If you come to High Point, you’re going to have an experience that’s better than where you came from.”
The Panthers’ tournament appearance and strong performance should make Huss one of the hottest names in the offseason coaching carousel, with programs potentially eyeing him for larger roles.
As for Purdue, this win serves as both relief and validation. After last year’s bitter loss to a 16-seed and the sting of previous early exits, the Boilermakers are eager to prove they can make a deep tournament run. Under Painter, Purdue is making its 16th NCAA Tournament appearance and its 10th straight trip — but the one thing missing from his resume is a national championship. This year, with the depth, experience, and leadership they showed against High Point, Purdue hopes to finally break through.
The next matchup, whether against Clemson or McNeese State, will undoubtedly test Purdue’s consistency and ability to adapt. But if Thursday’s performance is any indication, the Boilermakers are prepared to meet those challenges head-on.
With balanced scoring, veteran poise, and a relentless presence in the paint, Purdue has the tools needed to keep advancing. The victory against High Point was more than just a first-round win — it was a statement that the Boilermakers are focused, battle-tested, and hungry for more.
Purdue Tops High Purdue Tops High Purdue Tops High
You must Register or Login to post a comment.