Big Ten Basketball: Purdue edged out in a barn burner

Last night’s Elite Eight game was yet another exciting one involving a Big Ten Team with Purdue being edged out in overtime by Virginia.

The NCAA Tournament Committee has to be glad they invited eight Big Ten teams to “The Dance”. Conference teams have been involved in several exciting games and none more than the one last night.

Unfortunately for the Purdue Boilermakers they defeated 80-75 by the Virginia Cavaliers in overtime. Now Michigan State is the last Big Ten team standing.

The Boilermakers appeared to have control early in the game and took a 22-12 lead at around the 10 minute mark. The Cavaliers fought back to make it a 30-29 game at halftime.

After the break they quickly took the lead and stretched to 7 a couple of times. After Purdue got on a bit of a roll and took a 64-63 lead with just under 4 minutes to play it was a dogfight until the clock hit zero in regulation, literally.

The Boilermakers took a 70-67 lead with 17 seconds to play and coach Matt Painter chose to foul with 5 seconds to play. Ty Jerome made the first free throw and missed the second.

A Purdue rebound would have sealed the victory but the ball was tipped towards the Cavaliers’ basket. Kihel Clark retrieved it and hit Mamadi Diakite for a mid-range jumper he buried at the buzzer.

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Overtime was close as well but Kyle Guy sunk two free throws with five seconds to play to give Virginia a three point lead. Carson Edwards’ errant pass with two seconds essentially ended the game. Clark was then fouled and his two throws provided the final margin of victory.

Virginia had four players score in double figures, Kyle Guy (25), Ty Jerome, Mamada Diakite (14) and De’Andre Hunter (10).

Carsen Edwards scored 42 points and was the only Purdue player in double figures.

Stats and times provided by ESPN.com.

Quick takes:

The shootout between Edwards and Guy was exciting to watch to say the least. Each player kept coming up big when his team needed it most.

Purdue didn’t appear to have any momentum entering the tournament. To think the Boilermakers were within a split of a Final Four appearance was quite an accomplishment, and they should be commended.

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Now it’s up to the Michigan State Spartans to represent the Big Ten in the Final Four. It will quite a challenge to do so as they will take on the Duke Blue Devils.

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