Rapid Reaction: Purdue Spoils Great Night by Williams in 2OT Loss at Michigan

Trevion Williams had 36 points and 20 rebounds for Purdue Thursday night but the Boilermakers still lost to Michigan, 84-78 in double overtime.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — An all-time great night by Trevion Williams went to waste Thursday night at Crisler Center as Purdue lost a heartbreaker to Michigan, falling 84-78 in double overtime. 

Just four days after getting blown out at Illinois in one of the worst offensive performances in school history, the Boilermakers kept it close the entire way against the 19th-ranked Wolverines. Neither team ever led by more than six points during regulation.

Williams was a target from the beginning for Purdue. He scored its first basket, had 16 points in the first half and another 13 in the second half and seven more in the two overtimes. He finished with 36 points on 16-for-28 shooting, 20 rebounds, two assists and one blocked shot.

Williams' previous high was 18 points, which came in December in a bad loss at Nebraska. He recorded on Thursday the first 35-20 game for a Purdue player since Bob Ford had 36 and 20 against Minnesota on Jan. 16, 1971.

Purdue really needed to get off to a good start after Sunday's debacle at Illinois, where it missed its first 10 shots and lost in a 26-point blowout. The Boilermakers pounded the ball inside early against Michigan. Neither team led by more than four points in the first half.

Purdue lost 7-foot-3 center Matt Haarms late in the first half. He injured his hip at the 4-minute mark and did not return. Haarms, Purdue's leading scorer, had just come back last week after missing two games with a concussion. He didn't score and had just one rebound.

Purdue got a great game from Isaiah Thompson off the bench. He scored 14 points. Eric Hunter Jr. was the only other Boilermaker in double figures, scoring 10 points.

Michigan was led by senior point guard Zavier Simpson, who scored 22 points and had nine assists. He ranks No. 2 in the country in assists.

Purdue is now 9-7 overall and 2-3 in the Big Ten. Michigan is 11-4, and 2-2 in the conference.

Purdue is back home Sunday against Michigan State. The game begins at Noon ET.