INDIANAPOLIS – Top seed Purdue is moving on to NCAA Tournament Elite Eight after a 80-68 win over No. 5 Gonzaga in the first Midwest Region semifinal in Detroit.
The first half was back-and-forth with the Boilermakers leading by four at halftime before they blew it open in the second, taking a 14-point lead on a Camden Heide three-pointer with just under nine minutes to play.
Zach Edey led Purdue with 27 points and 14 rebounds, while Braden Smith almost recorded a triple-double with 14 points, 15 assists and 8 rebounds.
The Boilers will play in their second regional final in the last five tournaments as they look to make the Final Four for the first time since 1980.
Purdue will take on the winner of the second semifinal between No. 3 Creighton and No. 2 Tennessee.
