The top-seeded Purdue Boilermakers secured their spot in the Final Four with a 72-66 victory over the No. 2 Tennessee Volunteers. Zach Edey was the standout player of the game, scoring 40 points on 12-of-21 shooting and 14 of 22 from the free throw line. Edey’s performance outshined Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht, who scored 37 points on 14-of-31 shooting. The back-and-forth game saw both teams’ stars trading buckets throughout, but ultimately it was Edey’s clutch plays that helped Purdue pull away in the closing minutes.
Edey’s impactful performance included a crucial free throw that gave Purdue a one-point lead with 4:42 left in the game. He continued to make key plays down the stretch, including a dunk that extended Purdue’s lead to 63-60. Lance Jones also contributed with a three-pointer that pushed the Boilermakers ahead by six points. Despite Knecht’s best efforts to keep Tennessee in the game with his own free throws, Purdue held on to secure the victory as time expired. Edey finished with a double-double, recording 16 rebounds along with one steal, one assist, and one block.
In addition to Edey’s standout performance, Fletcher Loyer scored 14 points for Purdue, while Knecht’s 37 points accounted for half of Tennessee’s total attempts. The rest of the Volunteers struggled from the field, with Zakai Zeigler shooting just 3-for-12 for nine points. As a team, Tennessee shot 38.7% from the field, while Purdue was more accurate at 45.3%. Purdue’s victory was a redemption story after their shocking loss in the first round of last year’s tournament, and they have since dominated their opponents with double-digit victories leading up to the Elite Eight matchup against Tennessee.
Purdue now awaits the winner of the game between No. 4 Duke and No. 11 NC State to determine their Final Four opponent. The Boilermakers will look to continue their impressive run in the tournament and advance to the championship game. Fans can follow the latest sports coverage on Fox News Digital’s platform and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter for more updates on the NCAA tournament and other sporting events. Purdue’s success in the Elite Eight is a testament to their resilience and determination to compete at the highest level, and they will carry that momentum into the next round as they strive to reach the pinnacle of college basketball.
