History making night by Braden Smith capped with Purdue basketball win

MADISON, Wisc. ― A history-making night for Braden Smith had added emphasis with Purdue basketball's emphatic road win Saturday, Jan. 3.

Smith surpassed former Michigan State guard Cassius Winston's Big Ten career assist record as the sixth-ranked Boilermakers beat Wisconsin 89-73 in the Kohl Center for their fifth consecutive blowout victory.

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With 12:58 to go, Smith found Gicarri Harris on the wing. Harris buried the history-tying 3 that was career dish No. 890 for Smith.

Smith then broke the record with 9:22 to go, finding Oscar Cluff at the rim, a feather in the cap for the Boilermakers (13-1, 3-0).

Purdue basketball turning point vs. Wisconsin

Wisconsin came out of the gates swinging and jumped to a quick 9-2 lead, but the Boilermakers didn't wither. The Badgers made 20 of 22 from inside the arc versus Purdue to beat the Boilers at Mackey Arena last season, and on Saturday started 8-for-10 from 2.

This time, Purdue's defense responded, forcing eight first half turnovers, including three in a row midway through the half that helped the Boilermakers go in front on the scoreboard.

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More: History! Purdue's Braden Smith is Big Ten's all-time assists leader

A 13-2 run in the second half was sparked by eight Fletcher Loyer points. It got bad from there for the Badgers. Purdue built a lead as large as 25 and did so with five players - Smith, Loyer, Cluff, Trey Kaufman-Renn and CJ Cox ― all scoring in double figures.

How many assists did Braden Smith have vs. Wisconsin

Braden Smith had 12 assists against Wisconsin. He now has 893 career assists.

Smith needs 185 assists to tie former Duke guard Bobby Hurley's NCAA career record of 1,078.

3 stars for Purdue basketball vs. Wisconsin

Braden Smith: You break a record, you were standout. But even if Smith hadn't, the senior point guard was the star of the night. Smith's 12 assists completed a double-double with his 14 points. He also had four rebounds.

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CJ Cox: Cox got off to a cold start, making just 1 of 5 first half shots. But the sophomore altered the first half with his defense with two steals. Cox scored 11 points in the second half and finished with 14 points, three steals and three rebounds.

Fletcher Loyer: No Purdue player this season has scored more points than Loyer. And no Purdue player scored more against Wisconsin than Loyer's 20, which complemented five rebounds and three assists.

Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue basketball beats Wisconsin for fifth straight win