INDIANAPOLIS − The primary half had Purdue basketball followers slightly uneasy.
Due to a late flurry to finish the half and a sizzling begin to the second, the Boilermakers’ March Insanity run will proceed.
Purdue opened the second half on a 16-6 run en path to exorcizing its demons of a 12 months in the past with a 78-50 win over Grambling State.
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However for awhile, it was a bit uneasy within the first half for Boilermaker followers.
Purdue constructed a 29-19 lead, however Grambling, led by the midrange capability of Kintavious Dozier, received inside 4.
Fletcher Loyer sank his second 3 of the half and scored driving to the basket with six seconds left to present Purdue a 36-27 halftime lead.
It was over when
Purdue’s run to open the second half put away an inferior Grambling staff.
The Tigers (21-15) had no reply for Zach Edey, who imposed his will.
Lance Jones’ 3 with 18:06 to go put Purdue forward by 13 and compelled a Grambling State timeout. That appeared to be the separation the Boilermakers wanted.
For good measure, senior Carson Barrett sank a nook 3 late for the sport’s closing factors.
Zach Edey watch
Edey compiled his second 30-point, 20-rebound recreation of the season and third of his profession.
Purdue’s 7-foot-4 middle completed with 30 factors and 21 rebounds, turning into the primary participant in an NCAA event to publish a 30-20 recreation since Maryland’s Joe Smith did it towards Texas in 1995.
Edey additionally had 3 blocks and a pair of assists.
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3 stars
Fletcher Loyer, Purdue: Loyer solely attemped 4 photographs, however he made three straight when the Boilermakers wanted a raise late within the first half and completed with 8 factors.
Braden Smith, Purdue: The three first half 3s helped the Boilermakers seize an early lead. Extra spectacular was the ground basic finishing a double-double with 11 factors and 10 assists with no turnovers.
Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue: After some first half woes, the redshirt sophomore went off within the second half. Kaufman-Renn completed with 11 factors and seven rebounds after going scoreless within the first 20 minutes.
Sam King covers sports activities for the Journal & Courier. E mail him at [email protected] and comply with him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking.