Purdue Boilermakers Dominate Gonzaga, Advance to Elite Eight
In a stunning display of skill and teamwork, the Purdue Boilermakers proved their elite status with a dominant second half performance at Little Caesars Arena. Led by point guard Braden Smith, who broke a Purdue record with 15 assists in the NCAA tournament game, the Boilermakers secured an impressive 80-68 victory over Gonzaga.
This win marks Purdue’s first time advancing to the Elite Eight since 2019 and they will now face Tennessee with a chance to reach their first Final Four since 1980. The game was a team effort, with guard Lance Jones playing a crucial role in putting Purdue ahead and helping shut down Gonzaga’s star player Ryan Nembhard.
Center Zach Edey also came alive in the second half, finishing with an impressive 27 points and 14 rebounds. The three stars of the game, Braden Smith, Lance Jones, and Fletcher Loyer, all made significant contributions to Purdue’s victory.
Fans of the Boilermakers can follow sports coverage from the Journal & Courier by following Sam King on Twitter and Instagram. Stay tuned for more updates on Purdue’s journey in the NCAA tournament as they continue to prove themselves as a force to be reckoned with in college basketball.
