Freshman Phenom Powers Illinois to Stunning Victory

In a thrilling college basketball matchup, Keaton Wagler, a freshman guard, delivered an incredible performance. He scored a career-high 46 points, including nine three-pointers, leading the Illinois team to an upset win against Purdue. Wagler's impressive shooting night included a perfect 11-of-13 from the free-throw line and 13-of-17 overall. His teammate, David Mirkovic, contributed with 12 points and eight rebounds. Despite missing key players due to injuries, Illinois managed to secure a hard-fought victory. Purdue's Braden Smith put up a strong fight with 27 points and 12 assists, but it wasn't enough to overcome Illinois' relentless offense. Trey Kaufman-Renn added 12 points for the Boilermakers, who suffered their second consecutive loss.The game was intense, with both teams trading leads throughout. In the final minutes, Wagler's clutch shooting sealed the deal for Illinois. Purdue's turnover in the last seconds of the game ended their chances of a comeback. Illinois' three-point shooting was a key factor in their victory, as they made 18 three-pointers compared to Purdue's seven. Despite Purdue's strong first-half shooting, Illinois' ability to hit from long range made the difference. The absence of key players like Jason Jakstys and Kyle Boswell didn't stop Illinois from pulling off this upset. Their teamwork and Wagler's outstanding performance made all the difference.