SAN JOSE, Calif. — Purdue basketball's trip back to Indiana isn't the one it wanted.
Instead of a March Madness dream destination to Indianapolis, the Boilermakers will return to West Lafayette.
Instead of preparing for the Final Four, Purdue is putting a bow on the careers of three of its greatest all-time players after No. 1-seed Arizona defeated the No. 2 Boilermakers (30-9) 79-64 at SAP Center on Saturday, March 28 in the Elite 8.
Purdue led by seven points at halftime before the Wildcats flexed their collective muscle in a dominant second half performance sparked by freshman Koa Peat, who had 20 points and seven rebounds.
The Boilermakers shot just 9 of 28 in the second half.
Purdue basketball vs Arizona March Madness Elite 8 turning point
Purdue made 7 of 14 3-pointers in the first half, including three late ones to go into halftime leading 38-31.
The Wildcats went to their strength, though, and got a 3-pointer from Brayden Burries along with three shots near the rim during a span in which Arizona made four straight shots. It went on a 7-0 run during that 1:20 stretch, which swelled to an 18-5 run that flipped Purdue's 40-33 lead into a 51-45 Arizona advantage.
How many assists did Braden Smith have vs Arizona
Braden Smith finished the Elite 8 game vs. Arizona with seven assists. He finished his career with an NCAA record 1,103.
3 Purdue basketball standouts vs Arizona
Braden Smith: A hot first half didn't carry into the second. Smith provided 11 first-half points, including making three 3-pointers. Smith added 13 points and five rebounds to his seven assists.
Oscar Cluff: If Purdue had any hope, it needed Cluff to be the rebounding machine he was recruited to be. Cluff scored a team-high 14 points and completed a double-double with 10 rebounds, including five offensive.
Gicarri Harris: Minutes have come and gone at times for the sophomore guard. Harris gave the Boilermakers a lift in the first half. Harris finished with eight points, four rebounds and two steals.
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue basketball loses to Arizona in Elite 8