Indy Chronicler

INDIANAPOLIS — The Purdue men’s basketball team took advantage of its first trip to the NCAA Tournament Final Four in 44 years, beating North Carolina State, 63-50, in the first semifinal at State Farm Stadium to advance to Monday night’s national championship game.

The Boilermakers took a 12-point lead with six-and-half minutes to go in the first half on a Zach Edey free throw. The Wolfpack then rallied to cut the deficit to three with under a minute to play in the first half.

Guard Fletcher Loyer hit a 3-pointer with less than 10 seconds left in the first to push Purdue’s lead back to six before halftime.

Purdue led, 35-29, despite a rough first half from guard Braden Smith. The sophomore went 0-of-6 from the field while committing five turnovers.

Both teams started the second half slow before back-to-back 3-pointers from senior Mason Gillis and fifth-year transfer Lance Jones put the Boilers back up by 12.

Smith’s first points of the game — a 3-pointer with just over three minutes to play — put Purdue on top by 18 and pushed the game completely out of NC State’s reach.

Edey, a two-time national player of the year, led the Boilers with 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Jones and Loyer contribued 14 and 11 points, respectively.

Purdue is trying to win the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. The 1932 team, led by legendary coach John Wooden, won the Helms Foundation national championship.

The Boilers will play the winner of the second semifinal between UConn and Alabama.