In a dominant display of basketball, Purdue secured its place in the national championship game with a convincing 61-43 win over NC State. The game, marked by Purdue's early lead, showcased their strength in offensive rebounding and second-chance points, setting the tone for the match. Purdue's strategy to exploit NC State on the boards was evident, as they quickly established a 12-4 lead, thanks to their offensive rebounds and second-chance points. Despite NC State's efforts to close the gap, Purdue maintained control throughout the game. Key performances included Zach Edey, who contributed significantly with 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Lance Jones, who was notable for his 12 points from three-point shooting. Purdue's rebounding advantage and efficient scoring from the field were crucial to their victory, as they outrebounded NC State significantly. The win propels Purdue into the national championship game, highlighting their strong team performance and strategic execution.
Braden Smith and Purdue are thinking FINALS https://t.co/j4sdYSl74Y
Purdue 61, State 43; 3:12 left. Boilers in the midst of a 12-1 run. State had its chances earlier this half, when Purdue could not score. But neither could State. Now time is running out for the Wolfpack.
PURDUE IS ROLLING NOW 🚂 #MarchMadness @BoilerBall https://t.co/ywD1XTVjvm
36 1/2 minutes into the game, Braden Smith scores. We're done here. Purdue will play for it all on Monday. And will have to play better than this to win.
Boilermakers hit the GAS! ⛽️🔥 @BoilerBall (via @MarchMadnessMBB) https://t.co/8B99OFzblK
Purdue will play in the national championship game.
Fletcher Loyer might've just plunged the dagger, that corner 3 putting Purdue up 15 with four minutes to play ...
Zach Edey now with 18 and 10 His 29th double-double this season and 68th of his career https://t.co/EZNS7jNJqA
Officials letting them play. Eight free throws, total, in first 32 minutes. Purdue 49-42, thanks to Edey's 18 and eight combined 3-pointers from Lance Jones (four), Mason Gillis (two) and Fletcher Loyer (two). Wolfpack shooting 37% for game, 26% in half. Edey planted under rim.
Timeout, State, after Purdue takes a 45-33 lead with 12:40 left. Wolfpack is 1-for-10 from the field this half. Door was open, when Purdue went scoreless for about four and a half minutes. But State just couldn't make a shot. Wolfpack up against it now.
NC State has kept Edey off the scoreboard in second half, but Wolfpack are 1-of-10 from field and trail by 12. Lance Jones really hurting them from deep. Has 12.
Zach Edey has one field goal since 9:28 left in the first half. NC State doing a terrific job with Middlebrooks and bringing help when he puts it on the floor. But Middlebrooks just picked up his third foul with 15 minutes left. Burns also with 3.
Both teams are 14-34 from field Purdue with big advantage in rebounding and 12-5 edge in second chance points
Purdue 39, N.C. State 33; 15:52 left. Wolfpack just hanging around and hanging around. Not playing particularly well, but Purdue hasn't managed to pull away further when it gets lead into double digits.
Ben Middlebrooks has done a really good job defending Zach Edey, forcing him to work for everything. The reigning Wooden Award had a stretch of four baskets in five minutes midway through the first half, but has just four points and one made field goal in the last 13:36.
NC State, once down 12, is now within five with 3:24 left to play in the first half. Despite giving up 14 and 7 to Edey at this juncture, the Wolfpack has steadied itself while stringing stops together to get within a 30-25 margin of the Boilermakers. #GoPack
Purdue 26, State 16; 6:29 1H. Edey with 10. He's practically unguardable. The Pack, meanwhile, 3 for its past 11 from the field. That's not going to get it done.
Purdue with an early 12-4 lead! https://t.co/32mX40kKDD
(1) Purdue is off to a hot start 🔥 They lead (11) NC State 12-4 at the U16. https://t.co/gBUCb9utL9
The @BoilerBall has 10 second-chance points and a 7-1 rebounding advantage. Painter talked about exploiting the Wolfpack on the boards repeatedly.
At the U16 media timeout, Purdue has: - A 7-1 rebounding edge - Rebounded five of its six missed shots - Then turned those into a 10-0 second-chance advantage Boilermakers up 12-4.
10 of Purdue's 12 points are 2nd-chance points off 5 offensive boards https://t.co/48HTHJRPd6
Purdue 12, State 4; 15:46 1H. Wolfpack with a timeout after that Purdue 3. Boilers have been the quicker, calmer team early. State looks a bit rattled. Purdue has attempted six more shots from the field thanks to 7-1 rebounding edge and two State turnovers.
Already 10 of Purdue’s 12 points are on second-chance opportunities.
#Purdue 12, NC State 4, 15:46 1st A pair of 3s 5 offensive rebounds = 5 second chance points Off and running
Pretty dreamy start for Purdue, up 12-4 and out rebounding NC State 7-1. A couple of big second-chance threes.
Purdue is holding serve early on. Just taking it to NC State, 12-4 in the first 4 minutes. Huge NC State crows was pumped pregame, not so much now.
Purdue has come out firing, and after a Lance Jones three, Kevin Keatts will talk. The timeout comes with 4:14 gone and the Boilermakers tripling up NC State, 12-4. The bigger and more telling margin? That’s the 7-1 disparity on the boards. And Edey isn’t even doing much yet.
Five offensive rebounds and 10 second-chance points for Purdue in the first four minutes. https://t.co/ViizYfhotV
Purdue out to a 12-4 start over NC State. This. Could. Get. Ugly.
Purdue is the 6th best offensive rebounding team in the country and they are living off of that tonight. 7 of 9 points are 2nd chance
Purdue is already dominating the offensive glass. Five of its first 7 points are second chance points.
Three offensive rebounds and five second-chance points for Purdue in the first two minutes.