Purdue Survives Scare, Edges Oakland 87-77

Upset Alert: No. 1 Purdue Holds Off Oakland in Thriller

In a game that sent shockwaves through college basketball, the top-ranked Purdue Boilermakers narrowly escaped an upset bid from the Oakland Golden Grizzlies, securing an 87-77 victory at Mackey Arena on November 7, 2025. Despite missing star forward Trey Kaufman-Renn (hip injury), Purdue survived a gritty performance from Oakland that kept the game closer than anticipated.

Braden Smith takes control of the game with his driving ability against Oakland's defense. - Image from https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/basketball/braden-smith-magic-gets-purdue-basketball-through-tough-battle-with-oakland/ar-AA1Q25SE

Game Recap: A Tale of Two Halves

The Golden Grizzlies, under veteran coach Greg Kampe, dictated the tempo early with their aggressive 2-3 zone defense. Oakland built a 27-24 lead by halftime, capitalizing on Purdue's cold first-half shooting (22.2% from three-point range) and dominating the glass with a 27-17 rebounding advantage.

The second half belonged to Purdue, particularly guard Braden Smith. His explosive start after the break, capped by a spectacular behind-the-head pass to Fletcher Loyer, ignited a 7-0 run. Smith finished with a team-high 20 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds, while the Boilermakers shot 54.5% in the second half, including 53.3% from beyond the arc.

Oakland's scrappy effort was led by Ziare Wells (21 points, 12 rebounds) and Hamoudy Mashhour (15 points), but Purdue's depth proved too much. Six Boilermakers scored in double figures, including C.J. Cox and Oscar Cluff with 14 points each.

Purdue supporters erupt as the Boilermakers secure a hard-fought victory. - Image from https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/3-thoughts-from-purdues-87-77-win-over-oakland/ar-AA1Q1S3w

Key Takeaways

Braden Smith's Ascendancy: With Kaufman-Renn sidelined, Smith embraced his role as the engine. His court vision and late-game clutch plays stabilized Purdue's offense.

Zone Defense Woes: Purdue's early struggles against Oakland's zone exposed vulnerabilities that opponents may exploit moving forward. The Boilermakers adjusted, but the slow start raised questions about perimeter shooting.

Rebounding Battle: Oakland's 39-37 rebounding edge highlighted Purdue's transition without Kaufman-Renn. The Golden Grizzlies snagged 12 offensive rebounds for 14 second-chance points.

What's Next?

Purdue (2-0) looks to build momentum before facing tougher Big Ten tests. The Boilermakers' ability to close games will be crucial as they await Kaufman-Renn's return. For Oakland (0-2), the competitive loss demonstrates they can hang with elite teams, but rebounding consistency remains a focus.

"Quantity doesn't necessarily reflect an increase in quality," Oakland coach Greg Kampe noted after the game, referencing his team's seven new transfers.

The contest, broadcast on Peacock, showcased the unpredictability of the 2025-26 season—where even top-ranked teams face stiff tests from mid-major foes.