Purdue University showcased a dominant performance against McNeese, winning 76-62 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Trey Kaufman-Renn led the Boilermakers with a standout contribution of 22 points and 15 rebounds.
Fletcher Loyer and C.J. Cox added 15 and 11 points, respectively. With this win, Purdue (24-11) advances to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year, continuing their strong run in the Midwest Region.
Purdue’s next challenge will be against the winner of the matchup between top-seeded Houston and eighth-seeded Gonzaga. Coach Matt Painter noted the importance of maintaining their offensive efficiency as they look to continue their tournament journey. “We have to execute well and shoot the ball well. That’s just a fact,” he emphasized.
On the other side, Sincere Parker led McNeese (28-7) with 17 points, but the team struggled to find their shooting rhythm, halting their hopes of becoming the Southland Conference’s first team to reach the Sweet 16 since 1985.
Purdue started the game strong, hitting 7 of their first 9 shots, which allowed them to build an early lead. After some scoring droughts from McNeese, Purdue surged ahead with substantial runs, leading by as much as 36-14 in the first half.
“The start of the game set the tone,” Parker acknowledged. Purdue’s defense was formidable, as they maintained the lead for almost the entire game while enjoying a significant rebounding advantage.
In closing, while McNeese couldn’t replicate their earlier success due to shooting issues, Purdue’s performance reflects a well-constructed team that learned from past experiences, including last year’s journey to the national championship game.
Looking ahead, Purdue will likely need to rely more on their defense in the next round, facing fierce competition from either Gonzaga or Houston, which both boast impressive scoring records.
