Rob Phinisee's career game leads Indiana past No. 4 Purdue

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Rob Phinisee spent four seasons waiting for a moment like the one he celebrated Thursday night.

It even took him two chances to cash in.

The junior guard scored 17 points in the first half and then closed out a career-high 20-point game by making the go-ahead 3-pointer with 16.5 seconds left to send Indiana past No. 4 Purdue 68-65 for Phinisee's first win over his hometown school.

"Every time I go home, people always talk trash to me. I just finally needed to get one," Phinisee said. "It's just something I won’t ever forget. Just these fans, they’ve supported me through everything, so I just want to say thank you."

Phinisee was sensational on a night when the Hooisers (14-4, 5-3 Big Ten) desperately needed him. He made his first six shots, his first three 3s, had four steals and had a season-high point total — all in the first half.

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Indiana's Rob Phinisee (1) reacts after hitting a three-point basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Purdue, Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022, in Bloomington, Ind. (Darron Cummings/AP Photo)

With All-American candidate Trayce Jackson-Davis limited to just 11 minutes total because of foul trouble, Indiana relied heavily on its perimeter players. Xavier Johnson added 18 points, Trey Galloway scored eight and harassed Purdue guard Jaden Ivey on defense, and Phinisee played his best overall game all season.

As a result, the Hoosiers snapped a nine-game losing streak against their biggest rival, and thousands of screaming fans stormed the court when Ivey's 3-pointer to force overtime rolled out as the buzzer sounded.

"I had confidence on the