Heartbreak for Texas Longhorns as Purdue Advances
The No. 11 Texas Longhorns’ dream run in the NCAA Tournament came to a painful halt on Thursday night. A tip-in from Trey Kaufman-Len with just 0.7 seconds left sealed the victory for No. 2 Purdue, leading them to a 79-77 win and a spot in the Elite Eight.
This Sweet 16 showdown, featuring a team that had to fight through the First Four and one of the top seeds, was nothing short of exhilarating. Just a few moments before the end, Daylene Swain for Texas executed a crucial and-one layup with 11 seconds remaining, giving him the opportunity to tie the game at 77 with a successful free throw. He made the shot, but that left Purdue with just enough time to respond.
Brayden Smith also found a path to the basket for a layup. Unfortunately, it grazed the rim but didn’t drop in. Yet, Kaufman-Len was in the right position to make the winning tip, finishing the night with 20 points and helping Purdue keep its title hopes alive.
A buzz emerged on social media regarding Kaufman-Len’s game-winning shot, as some felt a foul should have been called for him hooking the arm of a Texas player while vying for a rebound. Regardless, no whistle blew, and while Purdue celebrated, the Longhorns were left in disbelief at how their season concluded.
The game itself was a tight contest, with both teams exchanging leads throughout the 40 minutes. Purdue only managed a seven-point lead, while Texas’s max advantage was a mere four points.
Both teams shot impressively, with Texas hitting 52 percent of their shots and Purdue at 48 percent. Looking at individual performances, every Purdue starter scored at least 10 points, with Fletcher Royer leading with 18 and Braden Smith contributing 16 from the backcourt.
On Texas’s side, Tramon Mark shined with 29 points from 11-of-15 shooting, impressively knocking down five of seven from beyond the arc. Swain nearly achieved a double-double, falling just short with nine rebounds and five assists.
As Purdue awaits the outcome of the Arkansas vs. Arizona match, they prepare for their next step toward the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
