No. 24 Purdue’s season-opening upset bid against No. 12 Gonzaga collapsed due to foul trouble for its star big man and a persistent perimeter shooting slump. The Boilermakers fell 78-72 in the TNT Hall of Fame Series at T-Mobile Arena, marking Gonzaga’s first victory over Purdue in six all-time meetings. Despite cutting an 11-point second-half deficit to two, the team could not secure a tie or retake the lead, exposing early-season vulnerabilities against a well-executed Zags offense.
Foul trouble and a 3-point slump defined a tough start for the Boilermakers in Las Vegas.
Daniel Jacobsen was the primary offensive engine, scoring 22 points with seven rebounds and shooting 8-of-10 from the field before foul trouble limited his impact. His efficiency in the paint, utilizing hook shots and leaners against Massamba Diop, created spacing that the rest of the roster failed to exploit. C.J. Cox added 11 points, but the supporting cast struggled to convert the open looks generated by Jacobsen’s presence, leaving the Boilermakers dependent on a single player to sustain momentum.
The most glaring statistical issue was Purdue’s three-point shooting, which finished at a dismal 23.8% (5-21). The team missed its first five attempts from deep, extending a streak that has seen it go just 2-for-30 since the UConn exhibition. This lack of perimeter threat allowed Gonzaga to pack the paint and control the game’s tempo, highlighting a critical area for Coach Matt Painter’s staff to address before the regular season begins in earnest.
Source: Yahoo Sports
