(BCSNN) — Braden Smith’s steal and layup with 23 seconds remaining sealed No. 5 Purdue’s 69–64 win over Southern California on Saturday, completing a comeback from a 14‑point deficit and pulling the Boilermakers into a first‑place tie with Nebraska atop the Big Ten standings.

Smith scored 18 of his 22 points in the first half, helping Purdue (17–1, 7–0) recover from a 22–8 hole in its first trip to Los Angeles to face USC in 53 years. The Boilermakers closed the opening half on a 30–10 run to take a 38–32 lead, with Smith scoring 13 points during the surge and outscoring the Trojans 8–0 heading into the break.

Purdue made just two field goals in the final three minutes but converted 8 of 10 free throws to hold off the upset bid. USC (14–4, 3–4) struggled at the line, going 5 of 14, and was led by Chad Baker‑Mazara’s 15 points. He missed six of seven 3‑pointers, including a desperation attempt at the buzzer.

Trailing 60–57 late, Purdue outscored USC 12–4 over the final three minutes. Playing with four fouls, Oscar Cluff scored five straight points after Purdue briefly trailed 60–58. He finished with 19 points and six rebounds.

A heavily Purdue‑leaning crowd helped fuel the comeback, with black‑and‑gold chants of “Boiler up!” and “Let’s go Boilers!” echoing through Galen Center, where USC averages 4,318 fans.

USC’s early 16‑0 run produced its largest lead at 22–8, highlighted by a dunk from 7‑foot‑5 Gabe Dynes. But Purdue’s response carried through halftime as the Boilermakers earned the program’s 1,000th win since the 1980–81 season, when Gene Keady took over in West Lafayette.