Live Game Thread & Updates for No. 5 Purdue vs. USC

Saturday is an important day in the race for a Big Ten championship. Fifth-ranked Purdue is looking to remain undefeated in Big Ten play with a road win on the West Coast over USC, while the Trojans are hoping to earn their first win over a ranked opponent.

Follow along as Purdue Boilermakers On SI provides live updates throughout the game. You can refresh this page frequently for the latest updates as Purdue takes on USC.

#5 Purdue vs. USC live game blog

2nd half

FINAL — Purdue 69, USC 64. It was a struggle, but Purdue escapes the Galen Center with a win to remain undefeated in Big Ten play. Braden Smith led the way with 22 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds. Oscar Cluff had 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. Jack Benter made a number of big plays today, and ends with 5 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and some important charges.

For USC, Chad Baker-Mazara had 15 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Jacob Cofie had 13 points and 15 rebounds and Ezra Ausar had 11 points and 8 rebounds.

6.9 — Marsh goes to the free throw line and misses both attempts. Fletcher Loyer grabs the rebound and will have a chance to ice away the game at the charity stripe for Purdue.

13.6 — Purdue leads 67-64 after Braden Smith knocks down a pair of free throws.

22.9 — Braden Smith comes away with a critical steal and a layup to put Purdue ahead 65-62. He was smacked in the face on the try but it wasn't called.

1:47 — A bucket from Oscar Cluff puts Purdue ahead 62-60. This has been a good one.

3:26 — We're at the last media timeout and USC still leads 58-57. Purdue hasn't scored in over four minutes. The defensive pressure put on by the Trojans is certainly causing problems for Braden Smith and the Boilermakers. Does this team have one final run left?

4:48 — Purdue had chances to increase its lead, but missed on a couple shot attempts. USC regains the lead at 58-57. The Boilermakers take a timeout. A lot of stress involved in this one.

7:47 — Purdue has jumped back in front 57-54 thanks to some huge plays from Jack Benter. The redshirt freshman has taken multiple charges, knocked down two threes, had a beautiful pass to Trey Kaufman-Renn for an assist, and had a steal. He has been the hero tonight for the Boilermakers.

9:25 — Trey Kaufman-Renn finally gets his first basket of the game. It cuts the USC lead back down to two points at 53-51. The senior forward has really struggled this evening in LA.

10:21 — USC leads 51-49 at the second media timeout of the second half. Fletcher Loyer just picked up his fourth foul. Both he and Oscar Cluff will be on the bench. This feels like gut-check time for Purdue.

12:12 — Oscar Cluff picks up his fourth personal foul and will head to the bench. That's a major loss for Purdue, He's up to 14 points on 6-of-6 shooting. That wasn't even a foul, as Cluff didn't touch Gabe Dynes.

14:05 — Daniel Jacobsen's size and length saves four points. He blocks one shot then alters another in transition. That's huge for Purdue.

15:25 — Purdue was able to to get four quick points out of the half, but USC is really pressuring Braden Smith, making it difficult for him to get open looks. He's going to need some help in this second half if the Boilers want to get a road win.

15:25 — USC has regained the lead out of halftime. The Trojans' defense has been really good in the first 4:30 of the second half. It's 43-42 USC at the first media timeout of the second half. A foul on the Trojans in the post was the latest whistle and it'll be Purdue basketball out of the break.

18:13 — Fletcher Loyer has not had a good night so far. He just picked up his third foul early in the second half.

1st half

HALF — A really strong finish for Purdue, who ended that half on a 30-10 run after trailing 22-8 early. It was an impressive run after the early struggles.

HALF — Braden Smith buries a triple as time expires and Purdue takes a 38-32 lead into halftime. He scored 18 points and went 4-of-4 from three in the first half. The Boilermakers got 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists from Oscar Cluff.

USC is led by Chad Baker-Mazara with 8 points and 3 rebounds. Gabe Dynes with 8 points, and Jacob Cofie has 5 points and 5 rebounds.

3:02 — A pair of free throws from Gicarri Harris has this game tied 30-30. It's been one heck of a response from the Boilers, who struggled mightily in the first 10 minutes this afternoon.

3:47 — Despite trailing by 14 at one point, Purdue has made a big comeback. The Boilers trail USC 30-26 at the final media timeout of the first half. Braden Smith is leading the charge with 10 points. The Boilers are just 4-of-12 from three-point range right now. Gabe Dynes has posed a major problem in the post, scoring 8 points for the Trojans.

7:41 — Purdue finally gets something going offensively but still trails USC 22-14. Jack Benter had a big series where he got an offensive rebound and a putback, then played a great defensive possession. That seemed to give the Boilermakers a much-needed spark.

10:57 — Another Purdue turnover and USC is now on a 14-0 run. The Trojans lead this game 22-8 on their home court. It's been a disaster for the Boilermakers.

12:33 — USC is crushing Purdue's defense right now. The Trojans are on a 9-0 run and lead 17-8. Jacob Cofie is giving the Boilermakers a lot of problems, scoring 5 points and grabbing 4 rebounds early.

15:23 — Now USC's Ezra Ausar has picked up his second foul. He will head to the bench now.

15:42 — First media timeout and we're tied 8-8. Purdue is having to play without either Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith on the floor. This is a situation where you love the Boilermakers' depth, especially in the backcourt. Going to need some big minutes from Omer Mayer and Gicarri Harris tonight.

16:37 — A triple from Gicarri Harris gives Purdue its first lead of the game at 8-6. It hasn't been the prettiest of starts, but the Boilers have an early lead on the road. Also, Braden Smith takes a seat as his knee appears to be bothering him.

17:45 — Braden Smith hit the deck on an offensive possession and came up hobbled. He'll remain in the game as the Trojans have a 6-2 early lead.

18:22 — USC jumps out to a 4-2 lead early, but the bigger story right now is that Fletcher Loyer has picked up two early fouls. He heads to the bench less than two minutes into this game.

Starting lineups

Purdue — #0 CJ Cox (G), #2 Fletcher Loyer (G), #3 Braden Smith (G), #4 Trey Kaufman-Renn (F), #45 Oscar Cluff (C).
USC — #13 Kam Woods (G), #9 Ryan Cornish (G), #6 Jacob Cofie (F), #2 Ezra Ausar (F), #45 Gabe Dynes (C).

Availability report

Purdue — The Boilermakers are at full strength for today's game.
USC — The Trojans are without Alijah Arena, Amarion Dickerson, and Rodney Rice. Jerry Easter is listed as questionable.

Tipoff between #5 Purdue and USC is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET. The game will air on Peacock.

How to watch Purdue vs. USC

What: Big Ten Conference game
Date: Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026
Tipoff time: 6 p.m. ET
Location: Galen Center in Los Angeles, Calif. (10,258 capacity)
TV: Peacock
App: NBC Sports/Peacock
Announcers: Ted Robinson (play-by-play), Miles Simon (analyst)
Radio: Purdue Global Radio Network — WAZY 96.5 FM (Lafayette); WKJG 100.9 FM (Fort Wayne); WNDE 1260 AM (Indianapolis); WGBF 1280 (Evansville); Sirius XM 162 or 195; View all listings: CLICK HERE
Radio announcers: Rob Blackman (play-by-play), Bobby Riddell (analyst), Wes Scott (producer).

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