A Commanding Victory in Calgary
Purdue Boilermakers opened their Canadian swing with a decisive 79-48 win over the University of Calgary, handing the hosts their third loss in the series and setting a strong tone for the upcoming games.
The Boilermakers displayed a balanced offensive attack, with Antione West Jr. leading the way with 14 points and four steals, while Omer Mayer and Gicarri Harris each contributed 11 points. Daniel Jacobsen added eight points, six rebounds and four blocks, and Caden Pierce chipped in six points and nine rebounds.
Defensive Mastery
Raleigh Burgess, making his first start on the trip, proved a defensive catalyst, blocking two shots and anchoring a unit that forced numerous turnovers through aggressive on‑ball pressure. Luke Erkel, despite a frustrating shooting night, stayed poised, impacting the game defensively and on the glass, while Jack Benter and Matt Painter also saw minutes.
The team struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 7‑of‑28, but compensated by scoring 34 points in the paint and generating 20 points off turnovers.
Rebounding swung dramatically in the second half, with Purdue out‑rebounding Calgary 46‑34 overall, underscoring an improvement in intensity and execution that will be crucial moving forward.
The performance offers a promising blueprint for the Boilermakers as they continue their tour, highlighting both offensive versatility and a defense that can dominate when communication tightens.