In a breathtaking offensive display, Wisconsin exploded for a school-record 18 three-pointers to outgun No. 15 Purdue 97-93 in the regular-season finale, delivering the Boilermakers a rare and historic defeat after a 90-point effort.
The Big Ten regular-season finale delivered instant classic status, as the Wisconsin Badgers traveled to West Lafayette and unleashed a long-range assault that rewrote the school record books. Facing a Purdue squad ranked No. 15 in the nation, as per the AP Top 25 poll, the Badgers connected on 18 three-pointers, tying the second-highest single-game total in program history and establishing a new benchmark for road games.
This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. Wisconsin finished 18 for 34 from beyond the arc, a 52.9% clip that stunned a Mackey Arena crowd expecting a celebratory senior night for Purdue’s key players. The Boilermakers had surged to a 22-13 lead early, fueled by a 13-0 run, but the Badgers’ relentless perimeter shooting turned the game on its head.
The tempo shifted decisively in the second half. After Purdue reclaimed a 62-61 lead with 14:59 remaining, Wisconsin answered with consecutive threes from Aleksas Bieliauskas to seize a 69-62 advantage. When Purdue tied or took the lead again at 73-72 with 10:04 on the clock, another Wisconsin three immediately restored order, and the Badgers never trailed again.
John Blackwell was the catalyst, pouring in 25 points with five three-pointers. Nick Boyd added 23 points, and together they formed a devastating scoring duo. Their efforts were supported by a team-wide commitment to the three, setting a school record with 12 made threes in the first half alone—all despite the absence of forward Nolan Winter, who dealt with a left ankle injury.
For Purdue, the loss defied decades of dominance. It marked the first time in nearly 14,000 days and 135 games that the Boilermakers lost after scoring 90 or more points, a streak dating back to a November 1987 defeat to Iowa State. This statistical anomaly underscores the abnormal nature of Wisconsin’s offensive onslaught.
Individual performances added layers to the narrative. Fletcher Loyer, Purdue’s sharpshooter, went for 23 points with six threes, using the night to pass Carsen Edwards for the school’s all-time career three-point record with his 282nd make. Braden Smith contributed 20 points and nine assists, continuing his remarkable season where he recently surpassed the 1,000-assist milestone in his Purdue career. For Smith, Loyer, and Trey Kaufman-Renn, who added 17 points, this was a poignant home finale, adding emotional weight to the unexpected result.
The victory propels Wisconsin to a 22-9 overall record and 14-6 in Big Ten play, extending their surge to three straight wins and six in their last eight games. Their NCAA Tournament résumé is significantly bolstered by this road win over a top-15 opponent. Purdue, meanwhile, sees its perfect home record tarnished in the worst way, raising questions about defensive adjustments as they head into the Big Ten Tournament.
Both teams now shift focus to conference tournament seeding, with pairings announced Sunday. The Badgers will feel confident, knowing they can beat anyone with a perimeter attack like this. Purdue must regroup quickly, as their championship aspirations now face heightened scrutiny after failing to protect a high-scoring lead at home.
Fan conversations will swirl around this result for weeks. The “what-if” scenarios for Purdue’s senior class, the sustainability of Wisconsin’s three-point reliant offense, and the potential for a tournament rematch in Chicago dominate the narrative. This game wasn’t just a regular-season closer; it was a psychological turning point that reshaped the Big Ten power dynamic heading into the postseason.
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