Third-ranked Purdue pulls away from Wisconsin on Senior Day

Pregame festivities began Sunday with a twist – “Oh, Canada”  – paying tribute to Purdue’s favorite Canadian appearing in his last game at Mackey Arena.

Zach Edey was stoic as he looked at the arena’s videoboard showing the Canadian Flag, no doubt bursting with pride inside and reflecting on his journey to college basketball stardom before making his 100th career start.

Here is Gene Keady proclaiming Mackey Arena, “Home to 26 Big Ten Championships,” during the hype video, acknowledging the latest title secured one week ago against Michigan State and finalized Tuesday by winning the outright crown at Illinois.

And it was Senior Day for the program’s six seniors, who have helped take the Boilermakers to new heights and destinations, including the No. 1 ranking for the first time.

With the conference title wrapped up, the No. 1 seed in the upcoming league tournament, and a top seed in the NCAA tournament coming soon, Sunday was about maintaining the momentum built up during one of the most successful regular seasons in program history.

While the 78-70 victory over Wisconsin had its rough and uncomfortable moments, the physical battle was sloppy at times but provided enough highlights to springboard the third-ranked Boilermakers into the postseason.

The Badgers wouldn’t go away until Caleb Furst, Mason Gillis, Fletcher Loyer and Lance Jones connected on key – and timely – 3-pointers in the final 9:21. Jones’ 3-pointer with 2:24 to play gave Purdue a 76-62 lead provided the final dagger but the long-range shots from Furst, Gillis and Loyer prevented Wisconsin from pulling within one possession.

Braden Smith flirted again with another triple-double, totaling 10 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.

Loyer continued his recent string of solid shooting, scoring 12 first-half points, including a four-point play that pushed Purdue to a 44-33 halftime advantage. The sophomore was 5 of 5 from the field, including two 3-pointers, and finished with 15 points.

And Edey brought the Boilermakers to the finish line with another double-double (23 points, 14 rebounds) to close out his tenure at Mackey Arena.

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