The Vermont Catamounts just hung around. Despite a size disadvantage, despite Kurt Steidl going out in the first half, and a Purdue team hungry to exorcise two years of demons, they hung around. But with all the weight of those two over time losses hanging on this Purdue team, Junior Point Guard P. J. Thompson raised up and delivered a 3-pointer that put Purdue up 76-65 with just over two minutes left in the game and for the first time all game, Boiler fans were able to breathe a sigh of relief.
This year was all about proving that this team was different.