Boilermakers top Northwestern in dramatic 61-58 victory

EVANSTON, Ill. — Sasha Stefanovic brought a sense of relief to his coach Matt Painter and his Purdue teammates in a game they desperately needed to win.

Stefanovic made a 3-pointer with 3.1 seconds left, and Trevion Williams scored 13 points as the Boilermakers rallied to beat Northwestern 61-58 on Saturday night.

After more than 7 minutes without a field goal, Purdue (12-10, 5-6 Big Ten) woke up and went on an 11-0 run to win the game. Eric Hunter Jr. broke the field goal drought with a runner in the lane, and Jahaad Proctor made a 3 to tie the game at 58 with 53.9 seconds left.

After a replay overturned a Northwestern possession, the Boilermakers went down the floor and set up a long 3 for Stefanovic.

A loss to last-place Northwestern would have been devastating for Purdue and its chances for the NCAA Tournament.

“I think this is one that we kind of needed to have. After the game we kind of could breathe a little bit. I think a lot us were wound up a little bit,” said Stefanovic.

After the game, Painter couldn’t remember the last time they had a review go in their favor.

“The monitor thing, it could go either way and we never get monitor calls. Any time they go to the monitor it seems like we’re 0 for 20 on monitor calls. I hate that damned monitor. But today we got lucky,” said Painter. “That was luck for us. One more possession ends up being the game. Obviously we were very fortunate to have a call go our way.”

Miller Kopp scored 15 points and freshman Boo Buie scored 12 as Northwestern (6-15, 1-10) lost its sixth straight.

Northwestern has lost four times this season after leading by five or more with 5 minutes to play.

“It’s tough. As a staff, we have to keep putting our guys in those situations in practice. But practice can’t replicate that. The only way you can learn is by being in it,” Northwestern coach Chris Collins said. “The reality is we haven’t closed the deal in those games.”

Northwestern has not defeated Purdue since March 9, 2014. It was their eighth straight loss to the Boilermakers.

Hunter added 13 for Purdue and Stefanovic finished with six points.

After a three-point play by Proctor gave Purdue a 35-33 lead early in the second half, Buie went on his own 9-0 run, hitting three consecutive 3-pointers. Buie’s 3 in transition gave the Wildcats a 42-35 lead with 15:01 left.

Northwestern led 29-25 at the half. Kopp was 3 of 4 from 3-point range for nine points, and Pat Spencer added six.

Purdue’s bench outscored its starters 19-6 in the first half. Thompson scored nine points, and Hunter added eight for Purdue in the first half.

BIG PICTURE

Purdue: The Boilermakers keep their slim NCAA hopes alive despite Nojel Eastern going scoreless and Matt Haarms only scoring four points.

Northwestern: The inexperience of the Wildcats factored into being held scoreless in the final 4:34. “I really feel for our guys, but these are the moments that test your mettle. The only way you figure it out is by being in these battles,” said Collins.

UP NEXT

Purdue: hosts Iowa on Wednesday night.

Northwestern: at Rutgers on Feb. 9.