Yale Basketball vs. Purdue Boilermakers Mens Basketball Match Player Stats: A Deep Dive into the 2024 Showdown

The Yale Bulldogs and Purdue Boilermakers mens basketball teams clashed on November 11, 2024, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana, delivering a high-octane NCAA non-conference game that ended with No. 13 Purdue prevailing 92–84. This early-season matchup pitted Yale’s gritty, experienced squad against Purdues fast-paced, sharpshooting roster, captivating 14,876 fans in a sold-out arena. Drawing from sources like ESPN, Sofascore, purduesports.com, and yalebulldogs.com, this article analyzes the player stats from this thrilling game, breaking down offensive, defensive, and team performances to uncover what shaped the outcome. Whether you’re a Yale Bulldog, a Boilermaker, or a college basketball fan, this comprehensive breakdown aims to top Google searches with its depth and clarity.

Game Context: Yale vs. Purdue

Yale (1–2, 0–0 Ivy League) entered the game as defending Ivy League champions, fresh off a 2024 NCAA Tournament upset over Auburn but reeling from a loss to Quinnipiac. Purdue (3–0, 0–0 Big Ten), ranked No. 13, was riding a 38-game regular-season non-conference win streak and a 20-game home winning streak, per purduesports.com. The Boilermakers faced adversity, missing 7-foot-4 freshman center Daniel Jacobsen due to a fractured tibia, forcing lineup adjustments. Purdue was favored by 16.5 points with a 151.5-point over/under, per ESPN, and while they covered the spread, the 176-point total soared over. Purdue’s 92 points came on 50.8% shooting, but Yale’s 84 points and 50 points in the paint kept it competitive. Let’s dive into the stats to see who drove the action.

Offensive Stats: Scoring Explosions and Playmaking

Purdue Boilermakers Offensive Highlights

Purdue racked up 92 points on 32-of-63 field goals (50.8%), including 11-of-23 from three-point range (47.8%). They shot 17-of-22 free throws (77.3%), dished 18 assists, and committed 10 turnovers, averaging 1.35 points per possession (PPP), per Sofascore. Their 37 rebounds and 17 fast-break points showcased athleticism. Key performers:

• Braden Smith (G, #3): Smith led with 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting (3-of-6 3PT), adding 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 steals. His 15 points in the first half, including a step-back three, set the tone, per FOX Sports. Smith’s 15.2 PPG and 7.4 assists per game in 2024 made him Purdue’s engine, with a late assist to Myles Colvin for a dunk pushing the lead to 72–60.
• Trey Kaufman-Renn (F, #4): Kaufman-Renn scored 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting (3-of-4 FT), grabbing 5 rebounds. His 11 points by halftime, including a post fadeaway, exploited Yale’s smaller frontcourt. His 13.8 PPG average shone, though a brief ankle scare limited his second-half minutes.
• Fletcher Loyer (G, #2): Loyer added 14 points, hitting 4-of-7 shots (2-of-2 3PT) and 4-of-4 free throws. His 9-of-12 three-point shooting in 2024 (75%), per purduesports.com, stretched Yale’s defense, with a corner three in the second half keeping Purdue up 65–55.

Purdue’s bench contributed 30 points, with C.J. Cox (12 points, 3-of-5 FG) and Camden Heide (9 points, 2-of-3 3PT) sparking runs. Their 24 points in the paint trailed Yale’s 50, but 11-of-23 threes and 15 points off turnovers, per ESPN, fueled a 47–50 second-half scoring edge.

Yale Bulldogs Offensive Highlights

Yale scored 84 points on 33-of-68 field goals (48.5%), hitting 8-of-26 threes (30.8%) and 10-of-19 free throws (52.6%). They recorded 17 assists, 36 rebounds, and 12 turnovers, with a 1.24 PPP. Their 50 points in the paint and 13 second-chance points showed interior strength. Standouts:

• John Poulakidas (G, #4): Poulakidas led with 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting (5-of-11 3PT), adding 3 rebounds and 2 assists. His 17 second-half points, including three contested threes, cut Purdue’s lead to 88–82 with 1:08 left, per yalebulldogs.com. His 15.6 PPG in 2024 made him Yale’s go-to scorer.
• Samson Aletan (C, #15): Aletan had a career-high 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting, grabbing 7 rebounds before fouling out. His 12 first-half points, dominating Purdue’s Will Berg in the post, kept Yale within 45–34 at halftime. Aletan’s 6.2 PPG average in 2024 spiked in this breakout game.
• Bez Mbeng (G, #2): Mbeng scored 12 points (5-of-12 FG, 1-of-4 3PT), with 5 assists and 4 rebounds. His pull-up jumper in the second half narrowed the gap to 65–60, and his 4.8 assists per game drove Yale’s offense.

Yales 50–24 paint scoring edge, per ESPN, exploited Purdue’s lack of rim protection without Jacobsen. Their 7 offensive rebounds led to 13 second-chance points, but 8-of-26 three-point shooting and 52.6% free throws limited their upset bid.

Offensive Comparison

• Purdue Boilermakers: More efficient from deep (47.8% vs. 30.8%) and the line (77.3% vs. 52.6%), with 18 assists on 32 field goals. Their 17 fast-break points doubled Yale’s 8, per Sofascore.
• Yale Bulldogs: Dominated the paint (50 vs. 24 points) and matched Purdue’s rebounds (36 vs. 37). Their 12 turnovers matched Purdue’s 1.24 PPP, but poor three-point and free-throw shooting capped their scoring at 84.

Defensive Stats: Stops, Steals, and Rebounds

Purdue Boilermakers Defensive Highlights

Purdue allowed 84 points on 48.5% shooting, conceding 50 points in the paint and 8-of-26 threes. They forced 12 turnovers, recorded 7 steals, and blocked 2 shots, grabbing 25 defensive rebounds. Their 1.24 defensive PPP was a season-worst, per purduesports.com. Key defenders:

• Braden Smith: Beyond offense, Smith’s 5 steals disrupted Yale’s Bez Mbeng, forcing 3 turnovers. His 1.8 steals per game in 2024 sparked transition.
• Myles Colvin (G/F, #5): Colvin, off the bench, had 1 block and 3 rebounds, slowing Poulakidas with his 6’6” frame. His defense on a late switch limited Yale to a missed three, per hammerandrails.com.
• Camden Heide (F, #23): Heide’s 1 steal and 6 rebounds, including a hustle play leading to Colvin’s dunk, gave Purdue a 72–60 edge. His 2.5 rebounds per game added hustle.

Purdue’s 25 defensive rebounds secured 69% of Yale’s misses, but their 2 blocks and 48.5% field-goal defense exposed rim-protection issues, allowing 50 paint points. Their 7 steals fueled 15 points off turnovers, key to maintaining the lead.

Yale Bulldogs Defensive Highlights

Yale allowed 92 points on 50.8% shooting, including 11-of-23 threes. They forced 10 turnovers, nabbed 4 steals, and blocked 3 shots, with 25 defensive rebounds. Their 1.35 defensive PPP struggled against Purdue’s perimeter game. Standouts:

• Samson Aletan: Aletan’s 2 blocks and 5 defensive rebounds contained Kaufman-Renn to 7-of-12 shooting. His paint presence forced Purdue to shoot 24 paint points, per yalebulldogs.com.
• Nick Townsend (F, #42): Townsend had 1 steal and 4 rebounds, limiting Loyer to 4-of-7 shots. His 4.5 rebounds per game helped Yale stay even on the glass.
• Bez Mbeng: Mbeng’s 2 steals pressured Smith, forcing 2 turnovers. His 1.6 steals per game in 2024 disrupted Purdue’s rhythm early.

Yales 25 defensive rebounds matched Purdue’s, but their 4 steals and 30.8% three-point defense (11-of-23 allowed) couldn’t slow the Boilermakers’ 47–50 second-half surge. Their 3 blocks limited Purdue’s interior, but 17 fast-break points allowed hurt.

Defensive Comparison

• Purdue Boilermakers: Stronger in steals (7 vs. 4) and points off turnovers (15 vs. 9), but weaker in paint defense (50 points allowed). Their 25 defensive rebounds matched Yale’s.
• Yale Bulldogs: Better in blocks (3 vs. 2) and paint defense (24 points allowed), but their 11-of-23 three-point defense and 10 turnovers forced lagged behind Purdue’s disruption.

Team Stats and Trends

Purdue’s 92–84 win marked their second victory over Yale in three years (78–56 in 2022 NCAA Tournament), improving to 3–0 all-time, per purduesports.com. Key team stats:

• Purdue Boilermakers: Shot 50.8% overall, 47.8% from three, and 77.3% from the line, with 18 assists and 10 turnovers. Their 37 rebounds and 30 bench points showed depth, but 50 paint points allowed was a red flag.
• Yale Bulldogs: Shot 48.5% overall, 30.8% from three, and 52.6% from the line, with 17 assists and 12 turnovers. Their 36 rebounds and 50 paint points were strengths, but 8-of-26 threes and 10-of-19 free throws cost them.

Historical trends show Purdue’s 85.0 PPG average vs. Yale’s 74.2, with a 40% three-point rate in wins, per Sports-Reference. Yale’s 50.0 paint points per game in 2024 exposed Purdue’s interior, but their 30.8% three-point shooting fell short of their 35.2% season mark.

Head-to-Head Context

Purdue’s 38-game non-conference win streak, dating to December 2020, and 24 straight November victories underline their early-season dominance, per purduesports.com. Yale, under coach James Jones (26th season, 397–312), has reached four NCAA Tournaments since 2015, per yalebulldogs.com, but faces a talent gap against Big Ten foes. Purdue’s Matt Painter (20th season, 448–203) leveraged depth to overcome Jacobsen’s absence, while Yale’s paint-focused attack tested Purdue’s adjusted lineup.

Standout Players to Watch

• Purdue Boilermakers: Braden Smith’s 22 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 steals make him a 2025 All-Big Ten candidate. Myles Colvin’s 9 points and defense signal breakout potential.
• Yale Bulldogs: John Poulakidas’s 23 points and 5 threes cement his Ivy League stardom. Samson Aletan’s 14-point breakout hints at frontcourt growth.

Why These Stats Matter

Stats like Smith’s 6 assists or Yale’s 50 paint points reveal Purdue’s perimeter strength and Yales interior edge. For bettors, Purdue’s 16.5-point cover and 176-point over aligned with their 60% over rate, per Covers.com. Coaches see Purdue’s 10 turnovers and Yale’s 52.6% free-throw shooting as fixable flaws. Fans relive Poulakidas’s late threes or Colvin’s dunk as momentum swings, fueling passion for both programs.

How to Track Live Stats

Follow live stats via:

• Sofascore.com: Real-time scoring, rebounds, and PPP.
• ESPN.com: Detailed box scores and play-by-play.
• purduesports.com: Official Purdue updates.

Conclusion

The November 11, 2024, Yale vs. Purdue mens basketball game was a showcase of contrasting styles, with Purdue’s 92–84 victory driven by Braden Smith’s 22 points, Trey Kaufman-Renn’s 17, and an 11-of-23 three-point barrage. Yale’s John Poulakidas (23 points) and Samson Aletan (14) dominated the paint with 50 points, keeping the Bulldogs within striking distance until the final minute. Purdue’s 7 steals and 30 bench points outshone Yale’s 3 blocks and 7 offensive rebounds, but Yale’s 84 points against a top-13 team signaled Ivy League strength. This game highlighted Purdue’s depth amid injury and Yale’s grit against elite competition. As Purdue eyes a Big Ten title and Yale chases another Ivy crown, these stats—50.8% vs. 48.5% shooting, 47.8% vs. 30.8% threes—offer lessons for growth. Expect more excitement if these teams meet again, with Smith, Poulakidas, and their squads ready to battle.

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