In a commanding display during the Men's Final Four matchup, Purdue Boilermakers took an early lead against NC State Wolfpack and maintained their dominance throughout the game, ultimately winning 61-43. Purdue's strategy focused heavily on offensive rebounds, leading to numerous second-chance points that set the tone early on. By the first half, Purdue had established a 35-29 lead, buoyed by Zach Edey's impressive 14 points and 8 rebounds, eventually finishing with 18 points. Despite NC State's efforts to narrow the gap, Purdue's consistent performance, especially from beyond the arc, kept them at bay. Lance Jones was particularly notable for his three-point shooting, hitting 4 threes and contributing significantly to Purdue's scoring. As the game progressed, Purdue widened the lead, culminating in an 18-point advantage with just over 3 minutes left in the game. Purdue's ability to capitalize on offensive rebounds and their superior shooting from the three-point line were key factors in their victory.
PURDUE IS COOKING FROM DOWNTOWN 😱 The Boilermakers lead NC State by 18 with less than 4 minutes remaining! https://t.co/zSw3Qdq1Vn
Kevin Keatts finally calls timeout with 3:12 to play, after Purdue rips off a 12-1 run that made this an 18-point game. NC State has 14 points in almost 17 minutes of game time in the second half.
Purdue leads NC State by 18 with 3:12 left. Boilermakers 10 of 25 from deep; Wolpack 4 of 16. Difference: 18 points.
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.
Fletcher Loyer might've just plunged the dagger, that corner 3 putting Purdue up 15 with four minutes to play ...
Purdue up 12 with five minutes to play here. Horne airballed a 3-point attempt. Crazier things have happened, but Wolfpack's magic appears to be running out. Make that a 15-point lead, after a Purdue 3 that feels like a dagger.
Purdue opens up its largest lead of the night 🔥 #MarchMadness @BoilerBall https://t.co/OkO62PCNa1
Purdue 49, State 42; 7:37 left. The Wolfpack, despite shooting 5-for-19 this half, are somehow still in this thing. DJ Horne with 20 of the Wolfpack's 42. Playing as though he's back in the Herbert C. Young Center in downtown Cary (one of his home courts growing up).
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.
Purdue 47; State 38; 9:51 left. Morsell, who hasn't scored, just picked up his third foul. So him, Burns and Middlebrooks with three. Kind of amazing that State is only down nine. It's 3-for-16 in the second half.
Another late U12, but this one isn’t late enough to cause an overlap. There’s still 9:51 on the clock. NC State is fighting, but it may get late for the Wolfpack soon. Purdue’s up nine here, 47-38. #BoilerUp #GoPack
Lance Jones from long range 🎯 Purdue up by 12 (via @MarchMadnessMBB) https://t.co/sINJmBItIx
Lance Jones with ANOTHER one from downtown 🔥 Purdue leads by 12 🍿 https://t.co/LsUNxtQUHY
Lance Jones hits AGAIN from deep 😳 #MarchMadness @BoilerBall https://t.co/v5MnBiwo4w
When I saw Lance Jones in January, he destroyed Rutgers by facilitating and rebounding. This time, he’s taking NC State’s soul with one backbreaking three after another. His latest has given Purdue a 45-33 lead at the 12:40 mark. Timeout, Kevin Keatts. #BoilerUp
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.
This massive Purdue crowd is making a thunderous noise now, after Mason Gillis and Lance Jones 3s have opened it up a bit for the Boilermakers. The lead is a dozen with 12:40 to go, and NC State is kinda holding on for dear life here.
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.
Keatts letting Mike Reed hear it after a no-call on Casey Morsell's drive, which rattles in and out. Lance Jones for 3 at the other end and that sequence might have done it. Wolfpack timeout. Purdue up 45-33 and NC State hasn't scored in 3 1/2 minutes.
Purdue has made three shots this half, all threes. NC State can't hit anything. Wolfpack in the danger zone now, down 12.
Lance Jones with his 4th 3 and Purdue leads 45-33
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.
The Men's Final Four matchup between NC State and Purdue is much closer than many imagined it would be at halftime 👀 A look at the key stat that led to the Boilermakers only being up six points at the break ⤵️ #MFinalFour https://t.co/Pt0xz8Oagg
NC State has yet to lead in this game but has stayed in position to cover the spread. Can they keep it up in the second half? Or will Purdue run away with this one? https://t.co/XzCC8gJVUa
The @PackMensBball down 35- 29 to @BoilerBall as Zach Edey must dominant college PTPer a difference maker with 14 points - 8 rebounds . Will NC STATE comeback & keep their miracle run alive ?
6 point lead for Purdue at the break. Edey 14-8. Boilers 5 for 12 from deep. 8 offensive rebounds. State fortunate considering.
Purdue gets a late 3 to go into halftime up 35-29. All things considered, State isn't in bad shape. Trailed Duke by the same 6-point margin in the regional final last week.
The Boilermakers head into halftime with the lead, but the Wolfpack won’t go away easily. Who’s moving on to the final? 🍿 ✅ PUR -5.5 1H Spread ✅ U 68.5 1H Total Points Live Odds: 🐺 NCST +550 ML ⚫️ PUR -9.5 ↕️ O/U 141.5 https://t.co/vEGsnwbYcX
Halftime: Purdue 35, N.C. State 29. https://t.co/YfiShRgFAN
Fletcher Loyer buries a 3 and points to his chest Purdue up 35-29 https://t.co/QpKOxPJrk0
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.
Lance Jones for 👌 #MarchMadness @BoilerBall https://t.co/pgaL33thYj
PURDUE COMING IN HOT 🔥 (via @MarchMadnessMBB) https://t.co/NFRZL1SFBX
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
Lance Jones BURIES a clutch triple to give Purdue an early 12-4 lead 🍿 https://t.co/o5sspQLa4Z
Purdue already up eight 👀 (via @MarchMadnessMBB) https://t.co/Fa2vGYZlNY
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 has 5 offensive rebounds. Ten of its 12 points are second chance. This could get ugly if State doesn't start rebounding.
#Purdue 12, NC State 4, 15:46 1st A pair of 3s 5 offensive rebounds = 5 second chance points Off and running
Welp. The NC State magic is being tested here early against Purdue. It's 12-4 and the Boilermakers haven't just played out of their minds. The 7-1 Purdue advantage on the glass, including five offensive boards in the first 4:14, is a killer.
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.
Purdue out to a 12-4 start over NC State. This. Could. Get. Ugly.
Purdue up 12-4 early on a 3 by Lance Jones https://t.co/YIRcEttxiF
State getting worked on the glass early on here. Purdue with seven second-chance points, and an early 9-2 lead. Not an ideal start for the Wolfpack.
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.
Purdue is getting hyped ahead of their Final Four matchup 🔥 https://t.co/cHwSFx4skR
Fletcher Loyer showing off from deep 🎯 #MarchMadness @BoilerBall https://t.co/PdRcSOTEgK