Milwaukee – Purdue basketball’s impressive streak of 39 consecutive regular season non-conference victories came to an end on Tuesday night, as they faced off against No. 14 Marquette. The Golden Eagles showcased an exceptional defensive performance, limiting the Boilermakers—who averaged 85.3 points per game this season—to just 58 points in their 76-58 victory at Fiserv Forum.
The defeat highlights a turning point for Purdue, who found themselves struggling offensively against Marquette’s tight defense. A crucial moment occurred midway through the second half when the Boilermakers had the opportunity to cut the deficit to three points. However, a turnover by David Joplin denied that chance, and Marquette capitalized, extending their lead with four successive free throws from Stevie Mitchell.
Purdue’s battle with turnovers resurfaced in the game. Despite a commendable performance with only three turnovers in their previous game against Alabama, the Boilermakers faltered against Marquette. By halftime, they had already accumulated nine turnovers, leading to ten easy points for the Golden Eagles. Head Coach Matt Painter has emphasized the necessity of maintaining a low turnover count for Purdue to contend effectively.
Highlighting standout performances, Marquette’s Kam Jones, who had been averaging 24 points per game, made his impact felt with a well-rounded stat line of 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists. On the Purdue side, Fletcher Loyer continued his scoring streak, contributing 13 points to the team’s effort. Marquette’s Stevie Mitchell also shone, securing a game-high 21 points and making significant defensive contributions with four steals.
While the end of the streak is a tough pill to swallow for Purdue, it presents an opportunity for the team to regroup and learn from this setback. Moving forward, embracing the challenge and focusing on reducing turnovers could prove vital as they navigate the remainder of their season. This moment could serve as a pivotal learning experience that strengthens team resilience and performance in future matchups.