Purdue got one step closer to avenging an incredible upset in the first round of last year’s tournament, taking down this year’s Cinderella NC State with a 63-50 victory. The Boilermakers controlled the game wire to wire, as even a late first half push by the Wolfpack only closed the halftime deficit to six. They’ll face UConn in the National Championship on Monday night after the Huskies withstood a few runs by Alabama before eventually pulling away to finish with a 86-72 victory.
Purdue used outstanding offensive rebounding in the first half to take an early lead capped off at one point by this three by Lance Jones.
It's been quite literally non-stop ball for the past 8+ minutes, and @BoilerBall has a 26-16 lead thanks to capitalizing on some offensive rebounds with threes like this from Lance Jones⤵️ pic.twitter.com/u3O7QJS4rP
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) April 6, 2024
NC State tried to get back in it late in the first half thanks to this run, and wound up going into the break down six.
🚨35-29 at the break, @BoilerBallleads🚨
But the Wolfpack withstood a hot start by Purdue and clawed their way back late in the half with plays like this by @PackMensBball's DJ Horne
Our very own @kevinkugler, @ClarkKelloggCBS & @jimjackson419 had the call🎙️⤵️ pic.twitter.com/ZZjH5Tkdeq
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) April 6, 2024
But the Boilermakers were not to be denied, and late threes like this bucket by Fletcher Loyer put Purdue ahead for good.
It's not quite the Final Call™️ but it might as well have been, as Fletcher Loyer's three put @BoilerBall up 15 late in the second half.
Purdue takes down NC State 63-50 and will take on the winner of UConn-'Bama on Monday night for a national title! pic.twitter.com/l5LdXfFPda
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) April 7, 2024
After the game, our crew spoke to Purdue’s Lance Jones and head coach Matt Painter:
Following his team's #FinalFour win over NC State, @BoilerBall head coach Matt Painter spoke to Westwood One about the game🎙️⤵️ pic.twitter.com/tptpaeojcL
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) April 7, 2024
Purdue's Lance Jones joined us courtside following his Boilermakers' 63-50 win over NC State that sent them into the National Championship on Monday⤵️ pic.twitter.com/hXg2ODpzGa
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) April 7, 2024
In the nightcap, Alabama traded runs with UConn throughout the first and early second half, with neither team able to put the other away. But when the threes wouldn’t fall for the Crimson Tide, UConn was able to wear them down and close out the game with consistent scoring on offense and some key Clingan blocks on defense.
Clingan finished off a UConn run in the first half that showed how quickly the Huskies can score in transition, slamming it home for a 33-31 lead:
It's been a back-and-forth affair so far, as @UConnMBB leads @AlabamaMBB 33-31 with just over four left in the first half.
But this Donovan Clingan slam shows how quickly the Huskies can get down the floor & flush it⤵️ pic.twitter.com/6O3cYgeghZ
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) April 7, 2024
Not to be outdone, Alabama’s Mark Sears hit a bucket at the first half buzzer to keep his team within 4:
It's 44-40 @UConnMBB at the break, as @AlabamaMBB cuts the deficit with this bucket by Mark Sears at the buzzer.
Our @kevinkugler will have the second half call with @ClarkKelloggCBS & @jimjackson419 live on Westwood One! pic.twitter.com/mQpNxp86KJ
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) April 7, 2024
Alabama’s Grant Nelson made a highlight play for the ages, somehow managing to flush it home over Donovan Clingan midway through the second half:
You don't see this very often! @AlabamaMBB's Grant Nelson drove to the rim and slams it home over Donovan Clingan to cut the UConn lead to 3 midway through the second half⤵️ pic.twitter.com/Edonyi0kOy
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) April 7, 2024
But without many threes falling, UConn began to pull away and Kevin Kugler had the final call as the Huskies’ win sets up a matchup of the big men between UConn’s Donovan Clingan and Purdue’s Zach Edey:
The Huskies of @UConnMBB are one win away from a repeat, as they pull away from Alabama to win 86-72.
They'll face Purdue on Monday night in the National Championship.
Our @kevinkugler had the final call with @ClarkKelloggCBS & @jimjackson419 live on Westwood One🎙️ pic.twitter.com/sB3ikPqpF1
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) April 7, 2024
Following the win, UConn’s Stephon Castle spoke to our Andy Katz courtside:
UConn guard Stephon Castle spoke to Westwood One following @UConnMBB 's win over Alabama in the #FinalFour ⤵️🎙️ pic.twitter.com/B4cmuQt4cp
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) April 7, 2024
