THE PURDUE BOILERMAKERS ARE GOING TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!

The Purdue Boilermakers defeated the NC State Wolfpack by a final score of 63-50. Purdue’s leading scorers were Zach Edey with 20 points and 12 rebounds, Lance Jones with 14 points and 4 rebounds, and Fletcher Loyer with 11 points and 2 assists.

1st Half

Purdue started the game hot from behind the arc, making 3 three-pointers in the first 10 minutes. Purdue only made 3 three-pointers the entire game against Tennessee. The Boilermakers were feeding Zach Edey early in the game, scoring 14 points in the first half. After a few bad turnovers by Braden Smith and Zach Edey, NC State was only down 3 with 20 seconds left in the first half. But thanks to a late three-pointer by Fletcher Loyer, the Boilermakers led 35-29 at the half.

2nd Half

The 2nd half was a slow and low-scoring half. Zach Edey only scored 6 points in the 2nd half, but Lance Jones and Mason Gillis were both hitting shots from behind the arc. Purdue averages 84 PPG, but they only scored 63 points, and they still won by 13 points. NC State only scored 50 points, that’s the 2nd time all season that Purdue has held an opponent under 50 points (Samford 98-45). Even though Purdue wasn’t playing their best basketball, they were still playing solid, and they ended up with a win, and a trip to the National Championship. This will be the first National Championship appearance for Purdue since 1969 when they lost to UCLA. The 2023-24 Purdue Boilermakers have made history, and Purdue fans will remember them forever. The win feels great, but the job’s not done. Purdue will have a chance to win their first National Championship in program history.

Player Of The Game: Lance Jones

In a game where Zach Edey wasn’t the dominant force that we all know, Lance Jones stepped up big time. Jones was 4-9 (44%) from the 3-point line, and he was 5-12 (41%) from the field. When Edey only scores 20 points, someone else has to step up, and that was Lance Jones. Even though he only scored 14 points, all 14 of those were huge points for the Boilermakers. If Purdue wants to win the National Championship, Jones has to play like this on Monday. Jones was the missing piece for this Purdue team.

#1 Seed Purdue plays #1 Seed UConn or #4 Seed Alabama in the National Championship on Monday, April 8th

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