Zach Edey propels Purdue to national title game with win over NC State

Zach Edey Leads Purdue to Final Four Victory

In a dominating performance, Zach Edey led the Purdue Boilermakers to a wire-to-wire Final Four win over North Carolina State on Saturday. The 7-foot-4 center scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to secure a 63-50 victory at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Edey, a two-time National Player of the Year, showcased his skills on both ends of the court, using his size to control the paint and alter shots on defense. “These are the games you come back for,” Edey said after the game. “These are the games you play for, that you work and practice every day for.”

The top-seeded Boilermakers will now advance to the national title game where they will face either UConn or Alabama on Monday. Purdue’s strong performance was highlighted by their dominance on the boards, outrebounding the Wolfpack 41-28 and outscoring them 24-20 in the paint.

Head coach Matt Painter praised his team’s defensive effort and ability to make key shots when needed. Edey’s impressive first-half performance set the tone for the game, as the Boilermakers never trailed and led by as many as 20 points.

Senior guard Lance Jones and sophomore guard Fletcher Loyer also contributed to the win, scoring 14 and 11 points respectively. On the other side, Wolfpack senior guard D.J. Horne led his team with 20 points in the losing effort.

The Boilermakers will now prepare to face either UConn or Alabama in the national title game, set to take place on Monday at State Farm Stadium. The game is sure to be a thrilling matchup as Purdue looks to capture the championship title.