- Purdue improved to 13-4 overall and 5-1 in the Big Ten standings with a 104-68 win over Nebraska in Mackey Arena. The win was Purdue's fifth straight victory overall and in Big Ten play after starting league play 0-1.
- Purdue has won four straight Big Ten games by at least 18 points for the first time in school history (81-61 vs. Minnesota; 79-61 vs. Northwestern; 68-50 vs. Rutgers; 104-68 vs. Nebraska).
- Purdue is 5-1 in Big Ten play for the fifth time under Matt Painter (2025, 2023, 2018, 2011, 2009). Ironically, Purdue has only won the Big Ten regular-season title once when starting 5-1 or better (2023).
- The win was Purdue's 26th in a row in Mackey Arena, now tied for the second-longest home winning streak in school history. The Boilermakers have won 14 straight home games against Big Ten teams.
- Purdue is now 20-2 in the month of January since the start of the 2022-23 season, having won 10 straight games in the month.
- Purdue's 32 assists were the fifth most in school history and the most since the school-record 37 set against LIU Brooklyn on Nov. 14, 1997. The 32 assists are the most for Purdue in a Big Ten game and equal the most for a Big Ten team since Northwestern against Rutgers on Feb. 27, 2016.
- Purdue's 19 made 3-pointers were the second most in school history behind the 20 made against Iowa on Jan. 20, 2018.
- Purdue's 63.1 field goal percentage was its second-highest mark of the Matt Painter era behind 64.3 percent against Auburn on Nov. 23, 2016. The Boilermakers shot over 60.0 percent in both halves for the first time since Feb. 5, 2020, vs. Iowa.
- Purdue's 104 points were the most in regulation in Big Ten play since scoring 104 against Iowa on Feb. 5, 2020. It marked the third 100-point game in Big Ten play during the Matt Painter era (107 vs. Rutgers on Jan. 18, 2016).
- Purdue scored 1.53 points / possession against Nebraska, the third-highest total in school history. Nebraska entered the game ranked 14th nationally in defensive efficiency.
- The 36-point victory matched the second-largest margin of victory in Big Ten play during the Matt Painter era (107-57 vs. Rutgers; Jan. 18, 2016).
- Purdue is now 10-0 against Nebraska in Mackey Arena, including 9-0 under Matt Painter. Just one of the games have been decided by single-digits.
- Purdue held Brice Williams to nine points on 2-of-8 shooting with four turnovers. Williams entered the game third in the Big Ten in scoring. It marks the third straight game that Purdue has held 19-point scorers well under their scoring average (Brooks Barnhizer, Nick Martinelli, Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper, Brice Williams).
- Braden Smith surpassed 600 career assists, coming in his 91st career game, now with 602 assists. He became the second player in NCAA history with 1,000 points, 600 assists and 450 rebounds in his first three years (Ohio's D.J. Cooper, 2010-12).
- Over the last five games, Smith is averaging 20.0 points and 11.4 assists per game.
- Freshman C.J. Cox scored a career-high 23 points (9-of-11 FGs, 5-of-7 3Ps) with four rebounds, four steals and two assists.
- Fletcher Loyer scored 19 points, going 5-of-6 from 3-point range.
- Trey Kaufman-Renn tallied 15 points with six rebounds and a career-high seven assists against no turnovers.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- C.J. Cox scored a career-high 23 points and Fletcher Loyer added 19 to help No. 20 Purdue to a 104-68 romp over Nebraska on Sunday.
Cox, a freshman who was averaging 5.4 points, made 9 of 11 shots, including 5 of 7 3-pointers. Loyer hit 5 of 6 3-point shots for the Boilermakers (13-4, 5-1 Big Ten)
Purdue hit four of its first six shots from long distance and finished 19 for 33 from 3-point range.
Trey Kaufman-Renn scored 13 of his 15 points in the first half and Myles Colvin added 14 points for Purdue. Braden Smith had a team-leading 14 assists.
Connor Essegian scored 17 points and Brice Williams added nine, well off his 19.4 scoring average, for the Cornhuskers (12-4, 2-3).
Purdue shot 64% in the opening half and built a 45-28 lead. The Cornhuskers shot 52%, but made just 2 of 11 3-point attempts.
Purdue had a 33-20 rebounding edge and held a 22-11 advantage in points off turnovers. The Boilermakers had 10 turnovers, seven less than Nebraska.
Takeaways
Nebraska: Although the Cornhuskers shot 48%, they had no answer for stopping Purdue and lost their second straight game. Nebraska did struggle from 3-point range, making just 6 of 27 3-point shots.
Purdue: The Boilermakers have been dominant during their five-game winning streak. Purdue has won by an average of 22 points and extended its home winning streak to 26 games.
Key moment
Kaufman-Renn made two consecutive baskets to cap a 14-0 run. First, Kaufman-Renn made a layup and then got a rebound of his own miss and hit a jumper in the lane to give Purdue a 24-7 lead. The Cornhuskers never got close the rest of the way.
Key stat
The Boilermakers shot 63% from the field, including 58% from 3-point range.
Up next
Purdue will play at Washington on Wednesday, while Nebraska hosts Rutgers on Thursday.