Purdue gets its first win without true freshman Daniel Jacobsen, beating Yale 92-84.

After a strong John Poulakidas game, Yale pushed Purdue early in the second half. The left-hander got going and scored the first four points of the second half, but every time Yale made a push, Purdue was able to respond.

Braden Smith once again led the way for Purdue. However, it was its defense that ultimately pulled Purdue away from the Bulldogs. In the transition phase, Smith managed to force a miss on Bez Mbeng’s edge. The ball bounced awkwardly toward the free-throw line and Smith followed it. By the time Smith had the ball, he was at full speed. Yale couldn’t keep up, but Purdue’s Myles Colvin could.

Smith would drop a bounce pass to Colvin, who would rise up top and end the game with a thunderous one-handed dunk to give Purdue a 72-60 lead with 7:29 to play.

Before Colvin’s dunk, it was another bench wing that sparked Purdue’s run. Camden Heide, who hadn’t hit a three all season, knocked down two in a row in the second half. The first to give Purdue a 65-56 lead, and a few plays later, to extend Purdue’s lead to 70-60.

But Purdue’s offense began to dry up after the 72-60 lead and Yale took advantage. Two questionable calls led to two turnovers and a Bez Mbeng three from the corner cut Purdue’s lead to 75-69 with 3:34 to play. On the next possession, Mbeng would foul off a Myles Colvin screen and Yale would have a chance to cut the game to one possession as Purdue’s field goal drought stretched to four minutes.

But Purdue had a final response with two free throws from Camden Heide, followed by the play of the night, with Braden Smith stealing the pass in bounds on the ensuing possession and finishing a layup at the rim to give Purdue a 79 lead -69 to be delivered.

Then Purdue did something it has struggled with so far in the season: making free throws. Smith knocked down two and Kaufman-Renn followed after a blocking foul on Bez Mbeng.

While Purdue made its free throws late, John Poulakidas put on a late-game shooting clinic. Poulakidas is one of the best scorers in the country and he showed that by dropping back-to-back three-pointers over multiple Purdue defenders in the final minutes. His second step back cut the deficit to 88-82 with 32 seconds to play.

But Purdue continued to make enough free throws to hold on, 92-84.

It was Braden Smith who again took the lead with 22 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists.

John Poulakidas finished the game with 23 points for Yale.

Purdue’s wings were strong and Myles Colvin played inspired defense late against Poulakidas, scoring 9 points and grabbing 5 rebounds. Camden Heide was also productive with 9 points and 6 rebounds.

Trey Kaufman-Renn had 17 points to go with 3 rebounds and 3 assists.

Purdue shot 11 of 23 from three and tied on rebounds with Yale after trailing on the glass in the first half.

CJ Cox had his best game. The true freshman had 12 points to go with 2 rebounds and 2 assists. He finished the game as part of Purdue’s small-ball lineup.

Gicarri Harris struggled and sat for most of the second half after struggling to stay with John Poulakidas on the defensive end.

Purdue won’t be able to enjoy this for long. #2 Alabama comes to town Friday night.