Purdue 78, Marquette 75 – Maui Invitational Championship Game Wrap

Witnessing Purdue’s outstanding performance at the guard position has been crucial for the program’s advancement. Lance Jones and Braden Smith proved instrumental during Purdue’s remarkable run in the Maui Invitational, where they defeated the #11, #7, and #4 ranked teams in the country over three consecutive days in Honolulu.

#2 Purdue secured a hard-fought victory against Marquette, resulting in a final score of 78-75.

However, the spotlight on Monday shines on the phenomenal #15 Zach Edey, who exhibited his dominance with a breathtaking performance. Edey’s 28 points and 15 rebounds in the game solidified his standing as the nation’s most dominant player, bolstering Purdue’s potential to ascend to the top of the college basketball ranks with the proper support.

In a pivotal moment with less than thirty seconds remaining, Braden Smith’s attempt at a tough three-pointer fell short. Yet, Edey’s resilience proved pivotal once again as he secured the crucial tip-in, propelling Purdue to a 78-75 victory.

Following an intense three-game showcase against Top-11 opponents, Purdue emerged as a team with seasoned experience and unparalleled depth. This was complemented by the undeniable presence of Zach Edey, the most imposing force in college basketball.

Marquette, on the other hand, displayed signs of fatigue during the tournament’s final leg. With a wearied 7-man rotation, they struggled to match Purdue’s energy and rebounding prowess, especially after facing UCLA and Kansas in preceding matches.

Purdue’s impeccable three-point shooting, with a 7 of 9 success rate in the first half, allowed them to dominate the scoreboard. The first half concluded with a commanding 45-33 lead, highlighted by Lance Jones’ astonishing buzzer-beating three-pointer from the opposing wing.

Edey’s early dominance on both ends of the court set Purdue apart, while Marquette’s accumulation of fouls further deepened their woes. Six Purdue players scored 5 or more points in the first half, showcasing a balanced offensive effort led by Edey’s 13 points and 8 rebounds.

Despite Tyler Kolek’s valiant attempt to keep Marquette’s offense afloat, Purdue’s relentless pursuit of second chance points, with 11 against Marquette’s 2, cemented their first-half supremacy.