WEST LAFAYETTE − The best remedy for being a little behind is to go home.
The penicillin of Purdue basketball is Mackey Arena, where the Boilermakers improved to 7-0 this season after beat Toledo 83-64 Sunday evening.
No one was more comfortable at home than Braden Smith, who put on an offensive show.
Smith opened the game with a straight 3-pointer, setting the tone for a career game for the junior point guard.
By the time Smith came out late, he compiled a career-high 34 points on 12-of-22 shooting and also had 12 assists.
Smith and junior counterparts Fletcher Loyer and Trey Kaufman-Renn carried Purdue’s offense with a combined 74 points.
More: Purdue basketball player ratings vs. Toledo: Braden Smith’s career high leads Boilermakers
A turning point in Purdue basketball
Toledo held on early, leading 12-10 after a bucket from Seth Hubbard.
In the blink of an eye, the Rockets were down 28-14.
Sparked by Smith and Kaufman-Renn and ending with a three-point play by Loyer, Purdue came from two points down to double Toledo in a span of 8:04. The Rockets made 1 of 12 shots in that span.
Including Kaufman-Renn’s dunk to tie the score at 10, the redshirt junior center tallied six straight Purdue points. Smith scored seven straight and nine of the next 11 points. At that point, Smith dominated Toledo alone, 15-14.
A reason to worry?
Purdue started as a 21.5-point favorite. On paper, this looked like a game that should solidify some of Purdue’s recent offensive struggles.
Toledo entered Saturday ranked 315th in defensive efficiency. After a barrage of three misses early (Purdue started 2 for 9), the offense got into a rhythm.
The Boilermakers let a Toledo team struggle for too long. The Rockets took advantage of Purdue’s questionable shot selection and lack of offense, closing to within five points in the second half.
Only then did the Boilermakers step on the gas pedal and begin to put the game out of reach in the final 10 minutes.
3 stars
Braden Smith, Purdue: What else needs to be said? That’s what Purdue needs from Smith to win a third straight Big Ten title.
Fletcher Loyer, Purdue: The Boilermakers needed a boost in the first half. Loyer delivered, making three 3-point baskets in a row. Loyer finished with 17 points.
Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue: Once Purdue stopped settling for outside shooting and got Kaufman-Renn involved, Purdue’s center responded. Kaufman-Renn had 23 points on 11-of-14 shooting and 6 rebounds.
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
This article was originally published in the Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue basketball beats Toledo behind Braden Smith’s career night
