PHOTO GALLERY: Purdue Holds Off Illinois For 76-71 Win at Mackey Arena
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue basketball finished the regular season with a 76-71 win over Illinois on Sunday at Mackey Arena, improving to 26-5 overall and 15-5 in Big Ten play.
The Boilermakers head into the postseason with a double-bye and a top seed in the conference tournament and will look to have a strong run in order to secure a No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament.
"All the different teams in our league are going to get you prepared," Purdue coach Matt Painter said after the win. "I think everybody in our league is battle-tested, and it's hard."
Purdue clinched the Big Ten regular-season title outright with a 63-61 win against Wisconsin on the road Thursday night but returned home to deliver a solid performance in the season finale.
The Boilermakers led by as many as 24 points in the second half but struggled to hit shots down the stretch. However, Illinois never took the lead in the game as Purdue finished with three players scoring in double figures.
Junior guard Brandon Newman led the way with 19 points, with junior center Zach Edey and freshman guard Braden Smith notching 17 and 15, respectively. After the game, the team celebrated its Big Ten championship and honored seniors David Jenkins Jr. and Matt Frost.
"It was nice after clutching it Thursday to come here and give the home crowd one last win for the season," Purdue junior guard Ethan Morton said. "So that was pretty special."
Photo Gallery: Purdue 76, Illinois 71
No. 5 Purdue Basketball defeated Illinois 76-71 on Sunday at Mackey Arena.
David Jenkins Jr.
Purdue Boilermakers guard David Jenkins Jr. (14) holds the Big Ten Conference Champions trophy.
Brandon Newman
Illinois Fighting Illini guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (0) is defended by Purdue Boilermakers guard Brandon Newman (5).
Zach Edey
Illinois Fighting Illini forward Matthew Mayer (24), Illinois Fighting Illini forward Coleman Hawkins (33) and Illinois Fighting Illini forward Dain Dainja (42) defend Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15).
Mason Gillis and Brandon Newman
Purdue Boilermakers forward Mason Gillis (0) and Purdue Boilermakers guard Brandon Newman (5) box out Illinois Fighting Illini forward Ty Rodgers (20).
Zach Edey
Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) holds the Big Ten Conference Champions trophy.
Trey Kaufman-Renn
Purdue Boilermakers forward Trey Kaufman-Renn (4) is defended by Illinois Fighting Illini guard RJ Melendez (15) and Illinois Fighting Illini forward Coleman Hawkins (33).
Matt Painter and Brandon Newman
Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter talks to Purdue Boilermakers guard Brandon Newman (5).
Brandon Newman
Purdue Boilermakers guard Brandon Newman (5) and Purdue Boilermakers guard Fletcher Loyer (2) celebrate.
Gene Keady
Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Furst (1) shakes the hand of legendary former Purdue basketball coach Gene Keady after defeating Illinois.
Zach Edey
Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) looks at the Big Ten conference trophy.
Ethan Morton
Purdue Boilermakers guard Ethan Morton (25) smiles after defeating the Illinois Fighting Illini at Mackey Arena.
Brandon Newman
Purdue Boilermakers guard Brandon Newman (5) celebrates after defeating Illinois.
Matt Painter
Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter walks on the court after the game against Illinois.
Ethan Morton
Purdue Boilermakers guard Ethan Morton (25) reacts to a shot near the end of the second half.
Mason Gillis
Purdue Boilermakers forward Mason Gillis (0) watches Illinois Fighting Illini forward Coleman Hawkins (33).
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D.J. Fezler is a staff writer for BoilermakersCountry.com. Hailing from The Region, he is from Cedar Lake in Northwest Indiana and has spent the last two years covering Purdue football and basketball.