OMAHA, NE – Rob Jones missed a potential game-tying three-pointer in the final seconds, as 10th-seeded Purdue held on to defeat 7th-seeded St. Mary’s, 72-69, after surrendering a double-digit lead late in regulation.
After trailing by as many as a dozen points in the second half, Jorden Page drilled a three-pointer to give the Gaels a 69-68 lead. But Purdue recovered down the stretch and had just enough to advance to the 3rd round.
Terone Johnson paced the Boilermakers with 21 points, while Jones’ 23 for St. Mary’s led all scorers. Purdue will meet the winner of (2) Kansas and (15) Detroit in the 3rd round.
Kevin Kugler and Tom Brennan called the action on the Westwood One Radio Network.