The Marquette Golden Eagles upset the Purdue Boilermakers, 76-58, in a highly anticipated matchup at Fiserv Forum on November 19, 2024. The victory was powered by Marquette’s Kam Jones, who delivered a historic triple-double with 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, marking only the third triple-double in the program’s history. This statement win solidifies Marquette’s status as a top contender in the college basketball season.
Game Highlights
Marquette established control early, leading 35-28 at halftime and outscoring Purdue 41-30 in the second half. The Boilermakers, ranked #6, struggled to counter Marquette’s pace and precision. Despite a solid performance by Purdue’s Trey Kaufman-Renn, who scored 16 points and grabbed 8 rebounds, the team shot just 37.5% from the field compared to Marquette’s efficient 48.2% shooting.
Stevie Mitchell also stood out for Marquette, leading all scorers with 21 points on 6-of-11 shooting. Defensive pressure was key, as Marquette forced turnovers and converted them into critical points, including highlight-reel plays like Chase Ross’s tomahawk dunk following a steal.
Quotes from the Game
Kam Jones reflected on his milestone performance: “It’s not about the numbers; it’s about helping my team win. Tonight, we executed our plan perfectly, and that’s what I’m most proud of.”
Purdue head coach Matt Painter acknowledged Marquette’s dominance: “They outworked us and capitalized on every mistake we made. We need to regroup and focus on our fundamentals.”
Marquette head coach Shaka Smart praised his team’s resilience: “To take down a team like Purdue, you have to play with heart and discipline. The guys showed both tonight.”
Implications
This win boosts Marquette’s momentum early in the season and cements their reputation as a formidable force in the Big East. For Purdue, the loss highlights areas for improvement, particularly in handling aggressive defenses and maintaining composure under pressure.
The game was a showcase of two elite programs, and Marquette’s statement victory adds intrigue to what promises to be a competitive college basketball season.
