Purdue Boilermakers vs Wisconsin Badgers Match Player Stats On Mar 02, 2023

Zach Edey tallied 17 points and 19 rebounds as No. 5 Purdue held off Wisconsin 63-61 despite no field goals over the final 5:42 on Thursday night in Madison, Wis.

After Edey's dunk put the Boilermakers up 54-53, Purdue closed it out by hitting 9 of 10 free throws over the final 3:45.

Braden Smith hit two free throws to put the Boilermakers up 62-59 with 8.2 seconds remaining, but Wisconsin's Max Klesmit countered with a pair to cut it to 62-61. Ethan Morton hit the second of two free throws to make it 63-61 with 4.4 seconds left, and Klesmit's desperation heave just inside half court was short.

Fletcher Loyer added 13 points for Purdue (25-5, 14-5 Big Ten), which had lost four of its previous six. Edey, who entered as the nation's second-leading rebounder at 12.9 per game and fifth-leading scorer at 22.3 points, hit 7 of 9 shots.

Klesmit matched his season high with 19 points and Chucky Hepburn added 13 for Wisconsin (16-13, 8-11), whose fading NCAA tournament hopes were dealt a huge blow. The Badgers have participated in 22 of the last 23 tournaments.

The Badgers have played in 17 games decided by five points or fewer, going 10-7.

Purdue pounded Wisconsin on the boards 37-23, including 10 offensive rebounds, but second-chance points were even at eight apiece. The Boilermakers were just 11 of 18 from the line, but the Badgers shot only five free throws, making all of them.

Carter Gilmore hit Wisconsin's first free throw attempt of the game with 9:51 remaining to complete a three-point play for a 48-45 lead.

Klesmit hit a pair of 3-pointers to fuel an 11-1 run that put the Badgers in front 38-34 with just over 15 minutes remaining.

Purdue shot 58 percent in the first half en route to a 31-27 lead at the break. The Boilermakers were 14 of 24, but just 2 of 10 beyond the arc, and also had an 18-9 advantage on the boards. Wisconsin countered by going 5 of 11 from deep.

--Field Level Media