PURDUE DROPS OPENER TO GONZAGA

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Despite holding #15 Gonzaga to 32.0 percent shooting in the second half, Purdue fell 78-72 in its opener at T-Mobile Arena on Monday night.

This is just the second season-opening loss for Purdue in the Matt Painter era, now falling to 20-2 in season openers. 

The Boilers shot 47.3 percent from the field to the Bulldogs’ 43.4 percent, but were outrebounded 34-31. Both teams recorded 10 turnovers on the night.

The Bulldogs took advantage on the free throw line, outscoring the Boilermakers by 11 points, making 26-of-34 from the charity stripe, including 25-of-30 in the second half. Purdue was just 15-of-21 from the free throw line, but missed two crucial front-ends on 1-and-1 attempts in the second half. 

Daniel Jacobsen led Purdue with 22 points, going 9-of-11 from the field, just two shy of his career high. The junior also added seven rebounds and a block. C.J. Cox and Antione West Jr. joined him in double digits, recording 11 points (4-of-11 FGs) three rebounds, and two assists and 10 points with a rebound and an assist (3-of-5 FGs), respectively. 

Davis Fogle led the way for Gonzaga recording 22 points while going 9-for-10 from the free throw line.

Purdue is at home for the first time on Friday with their home opener against Valparaiso in Mackey Arena at 6:30 p.m. ET. 

Purdue dropped its season opener to No. 15-ranked Gonzaga, 78-72, in the TNT Sports Hall of Fame Opening Night tipoff in Las Vegas.

The loss was Purdue’s first in a season opener since the 2012-13 season, ending a streak of 13 straight victories in a season opener.

Gonzaga defeated Purdue for the first time in six meetings all-time, Purdue is now 5-1 all-time against the Bulldogs.

Purdue fell to 1-5 all-time in season openers against nationally-ranked teams.

Purdue didn’t start a player from the state of Indiana for the first time since the 1981-82 season.

Purdue lost for just the second time in the month of November since the 2021-22 season. The Boilermakers are still a nation’s-best 36-2 (.947) in the month since the 2021-22 season.

Purdue is now 51-5 (.911) in non-conference play since the start of the 2021-22 season, still a nation’s-best record.

Since the start of the 2021-22 season, Purdue is now 80-12 when having 10 or more turnovers. Purdue had 10 turnovers against the Bulldogs.

Gonzaga’s 34 free throw attempts were the most for an opponent against Purdue since Rutgers had 36 on Jan. 28, 2020.

Purdue held Gonzaga to 32.0 percent field goal shooting in the second half (8-of-25), but the Bulldogs went 25-of-30 from the free throw line in the final 20 minutes.

Daniel Jacobsen led Purdue with 22 points, seven rebounds, two assists and a blocked shot, shooting 9-of-11 from the field. He’s the first Purdue player since Isaac Haas against McNeese (Nov. 11, 2016) to shoot at least 80.0 percent from the field on at least 10 field goal attempts and score 20 points.

Jacobsen’s 22 points marked his second career 20-point game.

J. Cox scored 11 points for his 27th career double-figure scoring game (20-7 record).

Antione West Jr., tallied 10 points and three assists in his first career game.

Purdue’s newcomers tallied 21 points in the contest.

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