Penn State just didn’t have an answer for Zach Edey
The 7-foot-4 specimen from Purdue scored 30 points and added 12 rebounds to lead the Boilers to a 66-60 win over Penn State in the 2023 Big Ten Championship Game.
What a battle and a remarkable run in the Big Ten Tournament.
We'll hear our name called within the hour on the NCAA Tournament Selection Show #WeAre pic.twitter.com/ch30RASaev
— Penn State Men’s Basketball (@PennStateMBB) March 12, 2023
It was the third time Purdue (29-5) beat Penn State (22-13) in as many meetings. Penn State fought from a 17-point deficit with six minutes left to cut it to as little as four, but couldn’t complete the comeback.
The team’s both started slow, and the score was just 4-4 at the first media timeout. Purdue took control over the next several minutes and went into the under-8 time out up 13-6 and on a 13-2 run.
Edey made his mark early with eight points and five rebounds in the first 9:22.
Purdue’s run got as big as 15-2, and led 25-16 at the under-8 timeout, which didn’t come until there was 5:27 left in the first half. Before that, Penn State got to within two thanks to consecutive 3-pointers by Myles Dread, but Purdue andrew with an 8-0 run that stretched its lead to 10. Penn State started 3-for-8 from 3.
Penn State had a point taken away when a Cam Wynter 3-pointer was ruled to be just a two. Purdue kept command for the rest of the first half, but Penn State didn’t completely go away. Purdue led 35-27 at the half. Edey’s 15 points and seven rebounds led the way.
Purdue pushed the lead to 11 twice early in the second half, but Penn State cut it to five by the first media timeout. Penn State outscored Purdue 11-8 in that window.
Purdue regain control over the next several minutes and pushed the lead back to 11 at the under-12 media timeout.
It was all Purdue from there. The Boilers led by 60-43 at the under-8 timeout and never looked back.
For Penn State, Seth Lundy led the way with20 points and 7 rebounds. Can Wynter added 14 points and Jalen Pickett had 11.
Now, Penn State awaits its NCAA Tournament fate.
The tournament selection show is scheduled for 6 on CBS.
