Purdue men's basketball team makes the Final 4 for the very first time since 1980

INDIANAPOLIS-- The Purdue Boilermakers have advanced to the NCAA Tournament's Final Four for the first time because 1980, beating Tennessee, 72-66, in the Midwest Region final in Detroit on Sunday.

The Volunteers increased by 11 with five minutes to enter the very first half on a 3-pointer by All-American guard Dalton Knecht, but the Boilers rallied to take a 36-34 lead into halftime.

Reigning nationwide player of the year Zach Edey keyed the late run, scoring 9 of his 19 first-half points. The senior also grabbed 10 rebounds in the very first half for his 28th double-double of the season, tying his own school record for most double-doubles by a single player

The second half went back-and-forth before a Braden Smith-to-Edey alley-oop dunk and Lance Jones 3-pointer put Purdue up 6 with under three minutes to play.

Edey finished with 40 points and 16 rebounds. Guard Fletcher Loyer was the only other Boiler in double figures with 12 points. Knecht scored 37 points to lead Tennessee.

Purdue will handle the winner of the South Region Final between Duke and North Carolina State on Saturday in Glendale, Arizona.