Purdue Dominates Queens in NCAA Tournament Opener

Boilermakers cruise to 104-71 victory in first round

Mar. 21, 2026 at 2:33am

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Purdue had no trouble dispatching Queens University in the opening round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, cruising to a 104-71 victory. The Boilermakers shot 63% from the field and 58% from three-point range, while also grabbing 15 offensive rebounds and dishing out 24 assists.

Why it matters

Purdue's decisive win over Queens sets the stage for a potentially deep tournament run for the Boilermakers, who have looked dominant since the start of the postseason. The team's efficient offensive performance and balanced scoring attack suggest they could be a tough out for any opponent.

The details

Purdue jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, leading by as many as 33 points in the second half. Trey Kaufman-Renn and Oscar Cluff combined for 34 points and 20 rebounds, while Braden Smith dished out 5 assists to break the NCAA's all-time career assists record. The Boilermakers' defense also held Queens to just 39% shooting from the field.

  • Purdue led 5-2 just 19 seconds into the game and never trailed.
  • Braden Smith broke the NCAA's all-time career assists record in the game.

The players

Trey Kaufman-Renn

A senior forward for Purdue who had a dominant offensive performance, scoring 20 points and grabbing 8 rebounds.

Braden Smith

Purdue's senior point guard who broke the NCAA's all-time career assists record during the game, finishing with 5 assists.

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What they’re saying

“Purdue was better and left no doubt.”

— Travis Miller, Author

What’s next

Purdue will face a tougher test in the second round as they look to continue their tournament run.

The takeaway

Purdue's dominant performance in the NCAA Tournament opener suggests they could be a force to be reckoned with as the tournament progresses. The Boilermakers' efficient offense and balanced scoring attack make them a tough matchup for any opponent.