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WATCH: Rob Phinisee nails clutch three, Indiana knocks off No. 4 Purdue for biggest win of Mike Woodson era

SimonGibbs_UserImageby:Simon Gibbs•01/20/22•

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Andy Lyons/Getty Images.

The final buzzer sounded, Assembly Hall erupted and Mike Woodson smiled as the Indiana Hoosiers emerged victorious over No. 4 Purdue by a 68-65 final.

With the win, Indiana (14-4, 5-3) picked up by far and away the biggest win of the Woodson era to date, as 63-year-old Indiana product notched a top-five win in his first season. On the other hand, Purdue (15-3, 4-3) continued its descent. The Boilermakers picked up the program’s first-ever No. 1 ranking just a few weeks ago, followed it up with a loss to Rutgers on a half-court heave — dropping them in the rankings — but had only lost one other game heading into Thursday: a five-point loss to then-No. 23 Wisconsin.

Above all, the Hoosiers once again claimed in-state supremacy over rival Purdue, a program that in recent years had dominated the matchup. Purdue had won nine consecutive matchups against Indiana, and the Hoosiers had not defeated the Boilermakers heading into Thursday since Feb. 20, 2016. Purdue had won 12 of the last 13 matchups dating back to 2014, but Thursday night’s outcome swung in Indiana’s direction.

Lafayette, Indiana native Rob Phinisee led all Indiana scorers with 20 points, while fellow guard Xavier Johnson contributed 18 points of his own. The biggest shot of the game — the one that gave Indiana its final lead and clinched the victory — came courtesy of Phinisee. Indiana had the ball and was due to inbound it under Purdue’s basket with just 19.3 seconds left; the Hoosiers, trailing 65-63, gave it straight to Phinisee on the wing, and the the junior knocked down perhaps the largest shot of his career. Phinisee, who came into the game averaging just 4.6 points per contest, had not ecliped the 13-point mark this season before his eruption on Thursday.

Entering Thursday, Indiana had not beaten a team ranked No. 4 or higher in the AP Top 25 poll since it defeated No. 4 Iowa, 81-69, on Jan. 21, 2021 — almost exactly one year ago.

Purdue relied heavily on its top-three scorers on Thursday: star guard Jaden Ivey had 21 points, two rebounds and an assist, forward Mason Gillis had 13 points, seven rebounds and two assists and 7-foot-4 center Zach Edey had 12 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Outside of that trio, no Purdue player scored more than eight points.

Indiana entered the game as 3.5-point underdogs and emerged victorious. As has happened in each of Purdue’s two road losses, the opposing fans took to the court with a vengeance, and Assembly Hall was home to the latest court storming.