Braden Smith career night passing Purdue basketball Northwestern OT Yahoo Sports

Purdue's Braden Smith had a second half to forget, but a night to remember. Boilermakers survive Northwestern 105-96 in OT.

Purdue's sophomore point guard, Braden Smith, had an unforgettable night despite a second half to forget. Smith tallied 16 assists, which is the second most in a single game in the history of the program. The No. 2 Boilermakers (20-2) managed to survive against Northwestern with a 105-96 overtime victory at Mackey Arena.

Northwestern started off hot from beyond the arc, hitting 8 of 13 in the first half, which helped them take a 25-21 lead at one point. However, Purdue responded with a 17-2 run, making six straight field goals to take a 47-39 lead at halftime.

The Boilermakers struggled with free throws, going 29 of 46, which allowed Northwestern to quickly erase their lead. However, Smith's final assist to Fletcher Loyer, who scored 12 points in the first half and then hit a crucial 3-pointer in overtime, helped Purdue secure a 96-90 lead. Northwestern fought back, but missed a late shot, leading to Wildcats coach Chris Collins confronting officials.

Purdue's 7-foot-4 center, Zach Edey, struggled in the first half, but managed to score 30 points and grab 15 rebounds, including two crucial dunks in overtime. Lance Jones also made significant contributions, scoring 26 points for the Boilermakers.

On the other hand, Ty Berry and Boo Buie were key players for Northwestern, with Berry scoring 25 points and Buie putting up 25 points while hitting 7 of 11 3-pointers.

In conclusion, Purdue's victory over Northwestern was a hard-fought battle that showcased impressive performances from both teams. It was a night to remember for Braden Smith and the Boilermakers, who secured their sixth straight win.

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