Indiana Upsets Rival Purdue in Tight Battle

Purdue's hot start to the season hits a skid with third straight loss

Jan. 27, 2026 at 10:31pm

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Purdue's 17-1 start to the season has hit a rough patch, as the Boilermakers dropped their third straight game in a 72-67 loss to in-state rival Indiana at Assembly Hall. Purdue struggled in the first half, giving up 8 three-pointers and losing the rebounding and turnover battles. Indiana built a double-digit lead that Purdue couldn't fully overcome despite a late comeback effort.

Why it matters

This loss continues Purdue's recent slide after a very promising start to the season. It also marks an important early-season win for Indiana, who is looking to establish itself as a contender in the Big Ten. The rivalry between these two Indiana schools always generates excitement, and this close game lived up to the hype.

The details

Purdue matched Indiana offensively to start the game, but its defense struggled, allowing 8 first-half three-pointers, including 3 to Tucker Devries. Purdue also lost the rebounding and turnover battles in the first half, leading to a 40-29 halftime deficit. In the second half, Purdue tried to rally by moving Trey Kaufman-Renn to center and using a Braden Smith-Kaufman-Renn pick-and-roll, cutting the deficit to as little as 2 points late. But Indiana was able to hold on for the 72-67 victory.

  • The game was played on January 28, 2026 at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana.

The players

Tucker Devries

An Indiana player who hit 3 three-pointers in the first half to help build the Hoosiers' lead.

Trey Kaufman-Renn

A Purdue player who helped lead the Boilermakers' second-half comeback effort, including scoring key points down the stretch.

Braden Smith

Purdue's point guard who was involved in the pick-and-roll that helped the Boilermakers cut into Indiana's lead late in the game.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to improve our defense and rebounding if we want to get back on track. This was a tough loss, but we'll learn from it and come back stronger.”

— Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue Forward (Yahoo Sports)

What’s next

Purdue will look to bounce back in its next game against Michigan State, while Indiana will try to build on this rivalry win as it continues its push for a top spot in the Big Ten standings.

The takeaway

This close game between two in-state rivals showcased the competitiveness of the Big Ten conference this season. While Purdue's hot start has hit a skid, the Boilermakers demonstrated their ability to rally late, suggesting they still have the potential to be a contender if they can shore up their defensive and rebounding issues.