Purdue Advances to B1G Ten Men’s Final game 80-66

Purdue Advances to B1G Ten Men’s final game

story by: Steven Stremming

photos by: Anthony Harper

The Purdue Boilermakers have earned their spot in the B1G Ten Men’s Finale on Sunday, March 12th, 2023 at the United Center.

The key to the game was the over-all size of Purdue and their willingness to hit the boards. They hit the boards to the tune of 38 to a 27 advantage. And of course, the main Boilermaker weapon was National Player of the Year candidate Zach Edey, who hauled in 14 rebounds for the game.

Edey was the crucial element in the Boilers victory over Ohio State as he scored 32 points on 12 of 25 shooting, eight to eleven free throws and of course, his rebounds.

Brandon Newman continued his streak of solid play; he scored 15 points on five of seven shots from the field, but he committed zero turnovers in 32 minutes of floor time.

Braden Smith ran a solid offense from the point as he handed out five assists, was five for five from the field and scored 14 points for the winning Boilers.

David Jenkins, Jr. and Caleb Furst gave strong minutes in their time on the floor, as each scored six points.

Purdue shot 28 of 58 from the floor for 48l3% percent, collected 38 rebounds and 18 assists.

Ohio State playing without both Brice Sensabaugh and Zed Key gave everything in their effort to continue in the B1G Ten Men’s Basketball tournament sponsored by TIAA, Roddy Gayle, Jr. continued his excellent play as he hit on seven of nine field goals for a team leading 20 points.

Justice Sueing scored 15 points on three of eleven from the field and was six of six from the line while Eugene Brown III led the Buckeyes in rebounding with six.

Bruce Thornton was limited to nine points for the game.

Ohio State shot 42.3% percent for the game on 22 of 52 shots, capturing 27 rebounds and handing out 13 assists.

Purdue moves on to play the winner of Penn State/Indiana.