WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Chambana Today) — Keaton Wagler delivered a performance for the ages Saturday, scoring a career-high 46 points to lead No. 11 Illinois to an 88–82 upset of No. 4 Purdue at Mackey Arena.
The freshman guard was nearly unstoppable, shooting 13-for-17 from the field, 9-for-11 from three-point range, and 11-for-13 at the free-throw line. Wagler scored 24 of Illinois’ 39 first-half points, including the Illini’s first 14, setting the tone early in a hostile environment.
Illinois improved to 17-3 overall and 8-1 in Big Ten play with the win. David Mirkovic added 12 points and eight rebounds for the Illini, who knocked down 18 three-pointers on 38 attempts.
Purdue cut the Illinois lead to 82-80 with 45 seconds remaining on a three-pointer by Braden Smith, but Wagler answered with a jumper 18 seconds later. After Smith hit two free throws to again make it a two-point game, Wagler sealed the victory by sinking two more free throws with 9.3 seconds left. Purdue then turned the ball over on its final possession.
Smith led the Boilermakers with 27 points and 12 assists, while Trey Kaufman-Renn added 12 points. Purdue fell to 17-3 overall and 7-2 in the conference, dropping its second straight game.
Despite Purdue shooting 63 percent in the first half compared to Illinois’ 43 percent, the Illini stayed within striking distance by hitting nine three-pointers before the break. Purdue finished 7-for-19 from beyond the arc.
Illinois played without reserve center Jason Jakstys, who was sidelined with an injury. Head coach Brad Underwood previously announced guard Kyle Boswell will miss at least a month with a fractured bone in his right hand.
