Breaking news from the Big Ten. Purdue beat Iowa 79-72 tonight, closing strong after a shaky start. The Boilermakers trailed early as Iowa lit up the nets. Then the second half hit, and Purdue took control with smart defense and firm patience on offense. This felt like a classic league grinder, and Purdue owned the final 10 minutes.
The Turn: Halftime to Horn
Iowa came out firing. The Hawkeyes spaced the floor and punched first. They moved the ball with pace and found clean looks. Purdue looked a step slow on the perimeter and gave up rhythm threes. It was Iowa’s type of game.
That changed after the break. Purdue tightened every pass and cut. The Boilermakers chased shooters off the line, kept the ball in front, and trusted their size to wall up inside. On the other end, they stopped rushing. They played through the paint, drew contact, and squeezed out efficient trips.
By the time the clock ticked under five minutes, the rhythm favored Purdue. Iowa’s early confidence faded into tougher shots. Purdue’s late-game poise, a staple of its identity, showed up on cue.
Final: Purdue 79, Iowa 72. The Boilermakers owned the second half with defense, touches in the paint, and timely execution.
How Purdue Flipped the Script
Purdue’s halftime adjustments were sharp and simple. Nothing flashy, just disciplined answers to Iowa’s spacing and speed.
- Closed hard to shooters, forced drives into size
- Flattened ball screens, no easy turns downhill
- Worked inside first, then kicked to open wings
- Cut live-ball turnovers, valued every possession
This is what Purdue does when it is right. The game slows, the shot quality rises, and the defense feels heavier. Possessions got longer. The crowd felt the shift. Iowa’s margin for error shrank with each controlled set.
Iowa’s Spark and Slip
Give Iowa credit. The Hawkeyes set the tone with quick hits and confident shooting. Their spacing pulled Purdue away from the rim early, and the ball popped. The first half looked like their script. Pace. Flow. Clean reads off the dribble.
But as Purdue cranked up pressure on the catch, those looks got thinner. Iowa had to put the ball on the floor more often. Drives ended in crowds, kick-outs came a beat late, and the rhythm dimmed. A couple of open shots spun out during the key stretch. A couple of loose rebounds went Purdue’s way. That was enough.
Iowa will not like the late-game execution. The Hawkeyes needed a reset to get back into their pet actions. Purdue never let it happen. The window closed fast.
What It Means for the Big Ten
This is the kind of January win that travels. Purdue handled a hot opponent, on a night that demanded patience and trust. It is the profile of a contender. The Boilermakers endured an early flurry, stayed calm, and landed the last punch.
For Iowa, there are still clear positives. The offense can create runs in any gym. The concern is the counterpunch. When foes push the ball to the second side and flood the lane with bodies, the Hawkeyes must find a steady answer. That will decide their ceiling in a crowded race.
In a tight Big Ten, road toughness and late-game clarity separate teams by March. Purdue just banked both.
Inside the Arena: Culture and Edge
This felt like Big Ten basketball in full. Physical screens. Heavy legs in the final stretch. Coaches working every possession like it was March. You could hear it in the student sections, and see it in the half-court battles. Officials let size matter inside, and both teams adjusted. Pace would rise, then settle. Every cut needed purpose. Every rebound felt like a coin flip.
There is also a larger message here. Purdue believes its structure wins late. Iowa believes its pace bends games early. Tonight showed the force of both. When the game got sticky, Purdue’s base held. When it opened up, Iowa looked loose and dangerous. That is why the rematch will carry heat.
Bottom line
Purdue left with a seven point win and the look of a team built for the long haul. Iowa left with proof that its shooting and pace can crack any defense, if the counters arrive on time. The league race is not settled, but tonight’s finish felt like a marker. Purdue’s adjustments were the difference, and the Boilermakers earned every bit of this 79-72 road grind. 🏀
