AI-assisted summary

Purdue men's basketball secured an 87-77 victory over Oakland in a game that was closer than the final score suggests.

Guard Braden Smith led a second-half surge, finishing with 11 points and six assists in the half to put Purdue in control.

The Boilermakers struggled with rebounding and poor shooting in the first half, going into halftime tied with Oakland.

Purdue played without Trey Kaufman-Renn, whose absence was felt, particularly in rebounding.

WEST LAFAYETTE — The final score makes Purdue men's basketball 's 87-77 victory over Oakland looked a lot more comfortable than it actually was.

In reality, the Boilermakers were tied going into halftime and led by only five with under six minutes to play. Once again playing without Trey Kaufman-Renn , they had

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