Source: Ben Solomon / Getty
INDIANAPOLIS — Top-seeded Purdue blasted number 16 Grambling 78-50 in round one of the NCAA men’s tournament from Indianapolis. Zach Edey led all scorers with 30 points and pulled down a game-high 21 rebounds.
Edey became the first player since Maryland’s Joe Smith in 1995 to have a 30-point, 20-rebound game in the NCAA tournament. It was his third career game with 30 points and 20 rebounds, the most of any player in Division I over the last 25 seasons.
“(I) tried to play as hard as I can, trying to send a message to the team: We’re here, we’re ready, we’re good,” he said. “Send a message to the country: We’re good.”
Braden Smith tallied 11 points and ten assists, while Trey Kaufman-Ren chipped in with 11 points—the Boilermakers tip-off against number eight Utah State in the Midwest region on Sunday. Tra’Michael Moton led the Tigers with 21 points. Grambling finishes its season 21-and-15.
Purdue plays Utah on Sunday for a spot in the Sweet Sixteen.
