In a thrilling showdown at West Lafayette, Indiana, John Tonje showcased his unstoppable skills by dropping 32 points, with an impressive 22 coming in the second half. Alongside Tonje, Max Klesmit contributed 17 points and six assists as No. 16 Wisconsin pulled off a remarkable 94-84 victory over No. 7 Purdue.
Tonje’s remarkable display included a crucial stretch where he scored 10 consecutive points, propelling Wisconsin into a lead they held onto until the final buzzer. Despite facing adversity with the ejection of backup guard Kamari McGee after a controversial Flagrant 2 call in the first half, the Badgers managed to secure their fourth consecutive win.
On the Purdue side, Trey Kaufman-Renn led the charge with a career-high 30 points, supported by Fletcher Loyer’s 15 points and Braden Smith’s 12 assists. However, the Boilermakers struggled to find a secondary scoring option in the second half, resulting in their second consecutive loss of the season.
During halftime, Purdue paid tribute to the late Caleb Swanigan, a former All-American forward and 2017 Big Ten Player of the Year, who tragically passed away at the age of 25 in 2022 due to natural causes.
Wisconsin showcased their resilience by bouncing back from a slow start, nearly matching Purdue’s first-half output while tightening up their defense in the second half. Meanwhile, Purdue faltered by failing to establish a consistent scoring threat beyond Kaufman-Renn, leading to a rare home defeat.
The turning point of the game came with Tonje’s four-point play early in the second half, sparking an 11-0 run that shifted momentum firmly in Wisconsin’s favor for the remainder of the contest.
Key statistics highlighted Wisconsin’s efficiency in the second half, where they shot an impressive 18 of 25 from the field and connected on 6 of 12 three-point attempts without committing a single turnover.
Looking ahead, Wisconsin will kick off a three-game homestand against Illinois, while Purdue faces a tough road test against No. 11 Michigan State on Tuesday.
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