Purdue's Free Throw Clutch Helps Secure Win Over USC

Purdue's Trey Kaufman-Renn stepped up to the free throw line with the game tied and just 28 seconds left, despite being only 3-7 from the line in the game. He was thinking about his routine and tried to block out everything else.

Kaufman-Renn made both free throws, giving Purdue the lead, which they held onto for the rest of the game and beat USC, 76-71.

"I've shot plenty of free throws in my life and so just knock them down and help the team win," Kaufman-Renn said.

Purdue guard Braden Smith praised Kaufman-Renn's clutch performance, saying, "He understands the focus point and everything else when it comes to those shots and we all trust him to take it."

Kaufman-Renn had 30 points to lead all scorers in the game, his third game of 20 or more points in their last four games.

Camden Heide also made a key contribution, knocking down three-pointers from the same spot twice and pulling down 11 rebounds to lead the team.

"He understands his job and he comes in and plays hard and he gives us those minutes and rebounds the crap out of the ball, like he did tonight, and that's what we need from him," Smith said.

Purdue head coach Matt Painter praised Heide's performance, saying, "He can keep shooting 100% from three and getting 11 rebounds, I think we're going to benefit from it."

The win moves Purdue on to play Michigan on Friday. The two teams have played each other twice this season, with Purdue winning at home by 27 points and Michigan winning at home by three points.

"I'm excited to play them again," Kaufman-Renn said. "I'm really excited. I have a lot of motivation going into that game."

Purdue forward Caleb Furst emphasized the importance of playing defensively against Michigan, saying, "We got to be tough, we got to play physical, but we also got to play smart."

Tipoff will be at approximately 9 p.m. on Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.