Thompson, Stefanovic lead Purdue comeback, beat Valparaiso
- Dec. 04, 2020 09:58 PM EST
Valparaiso guard Nick Robinson (25) looks for an open teammate as he is guarded by Purdue forward Mason Gillis (0) and guard Brandon Newman (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, in West Lafayette, Ind. (Nikos Frazier/Journal & Courier via AP)
Valparaiso guard Nick Robinson (25) looks for an open teammate as he is guarded by Purdue forward Mason Gillis (0) and guard Brandon Newman (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, in West Lafayette, Ind. (Nikos Frazier/Journal & Courier via AP)
Valparaiso guard Nick Robinson (25) reacts after a basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Purdue, Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, in West Lafayette, Ind. (Nikos Frazier/Journal & Courier via AP)
Purdue forward Trevion Williams (50) goes up for a layup past Valparaiso forward Mileek McMillan (22) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, in West Lafayette, Ind. (Nikos Frazier/Journal & Courier via AP)
Purdue center Zach Edey shoots during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Valparaiso on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, in West Lafayette, Ind. (Nikos Frazier/Journal & Courier via AP)
Purdue center Zach Edey (15) goes up for a layup next to Valparaiso's Jacob Ognacevic during an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, in West Lafayette, Ind. (Nikos Frazier/Journal & Courier via AP)
Purdue coach Matt Painter gestures during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Valparaiso on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, in West Lafayette, Ind. (Nikos Frazier/Journal & Courier via AP)
Valparaiso forward Jacob Ognacevic (34) goes up for a 3-pointer during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Purdue on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, in West Lafayette, Ind. (Nikos Frazier/Journal & Courier via AP)
Valparaiso coach Matt Lottich reacts during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Purdue on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, in West Lafayette, Ind. (Nikos Frazier/Journal & Courier via AP)
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Isaiah Thompson scored eight of his 14 points in the last 5:32, Sasha Stefanovic led with 19 and Purdue rallied past stubborn Valparaiso 68-61 on Friday night after trailing for most of the game.

Zach Edey's free throws with 6:48 remaining gave Purdue (3-1) a 54-53 lead — its first lead since 3-2 with just over two minutes gone. Thompson extended the lead to 58-53 with a free throw and a 3-pointer and made four more from the line in the last 51 seconds to secure the comeback.

Valparaiso (0-3), which hadn't beaten Purdue since 1965, leapt out to a 34-23 halftime lead thanks to 55% shooting and deadeye 3-point shooting from Jacob Ognacevich (3-for-3) and Donovan Clay (2-for-2).

Stefanovic, who scored 16 after halftime, opened the second half with a 3-pointer and, 10 minutes later drained another 3 that cut the Valpo lead to 49-48. The Boilermakers defense toughened, dropping Valpo's shooting percentage to 31% in the second half.

A nearly four-minute scoring drought did in the Crusaders. Ognacevich was held to three points after halftime and finished with 12. Nick Robinson scored 15.

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