CHICAGO ― UCLA didn't have Tyler Bilodeau, then had point guard Donovan Dent for just 10 minutes before he left with a lower leg injury.
Purdue basketball wasn't going to apologize for capitalizing on the Bruins' misfortunes.
And UCLA wasn't going to make excuses despite being without its two best players.
In the end, the Boilermakers had to fend off UCLA's comeback 73-66 for a Big Ten Tournament semifinal victory Saturday that was harder than it needed to be.
Purdue improved to 6-0 in neutral court games this season and has a chance to couple its 2023 Big Ten Tournament championship at United Center with another on Sunday.
Who does Purdue basketball play next?
Purdue advances to Sunday's 3:30 p.m. Big Ten Tournament championship game against regular season conference champion Michigan. The Boilermakers lost their only regular season meeting against the Wolverines 91-80.
Purdue basketball turning point vs. UCLA in Big Ten Tournament
UCLA scored the first basket, marking the first time Purdue trailed in three Big Ten Tournament games. The Boilermakers promptly responded by scoring the next 15 points.
That would be offset by an ice cold stretch where Purdue missed 11 of 12. Jack Benter's back-to-back 3-pointers at the end of the first half, including a buzzer beater, provided a 34-27 cushion. Fletcher Loyer then opened the second half with consecutive 3-pointers.
The Boilers appeared on cruise control, but momentum flipped on an overturned goaltending call. An Oscar Cluff shot was ruled good on goaltending to give Purdue a 60-50 lead. UCLA's challenge of the goaltending was successful, wiping away Cluff's basket and giving UCLA possession. The Bruins immediately went on a 10-2 run to tie the score at 60. The Boilermakers answered immediately with an Oscar Cluff putback followed by a Loyer steal that led to CJ Cox's fastbreak layup.
How many assists does Braden Smith need to break NCAA record?
Braden Smith broke the Big Ten Tournament record for assists in a single game with 16 versus Northwestern on Thursday. After Saturday, Smith has the most in a Big Ten Tournament. Smith's 9 assists against UCLA gives him 35 in the 2026 conference tournament run. Smith now has 1,064 career assists. He needs 13 to break former Duke guard Bobby Hurley's NCAA career record of 1,076.
3 Purdue basketball stars vs. UCLA in Big Ten Tournament
Fletcher Loyer: In the quarterfinal win over Nebraska, Loyer supplied the energy to go with the points. The environment wasn't as lively on Saturday, but Loyer's shooting touch carried over. Loyer made four 3-pointers and scored 14 points.
Trey Kaufman-Renn: During Purdue's frigid shooting spell in the first half, it was twice Trey Kaufman-Renn who supplied four points when Purdue had to have them. He finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Oscar Cluff: The senior center missed four of his first five shots before settling in. His putback with 3:09 to go gave Purdue the lead. His rebounding was huge late as Cluff finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds.
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 UCLA, advances to Big Ten final