SAN JOSE, Calif. — Trey Kaufman-Renn tipped in a last-second basket to give No. 2 seed Purdue a 79-77 victory over No. 11 seed Texas in a Sweet 16 thriller on Thursday night, advancing the Boilermakers to the Elite Eight.
Kaufman-Renn's tip-in at the buzzer capped a back-and-forth contest at the SAP Center. Purdue led for much of the game but saw Texas mount a late rally. The Longhorns tied the score late before the Boilermakers regained the lead on the final play. Purdue improved to 30-8 with the win, while Texas ended its season at an unspecified record after a strong tournament run as a double-digit seed.
The game featured strong performances on both sides. Purdue controlled the first half with a 39-35 lead at the break. Texas responded in the second half, outscoring the Boilermakers 42-40 and keeping the outcome in doubt until the final seconds. The contest included multiple lead changes and ties in the closing minutes, with both teams trading baskets in a high-pressure environment.
Purdue reached the Sweet 16 for the third consecutive season. The Boilermakers advanced past No. 15 Queens in the first round and No. 7 Miami in the second round before facing Texas. Texas, which entered as one of the last remaining double-digit seeds, had upset higher-seeded teams earlier in the bracket, including a victory over No. 3 Gonzaga in the second round.
The victory sends Purdue to the Elite Eight in the West Region for the seventh time in program history and the third time since 2019. Coach Matt Painter's team has built a reputation for consistent deep tournament runs while still seeking its first national championship.
As of Friday, Purdue prepares for its Elite Eight matchup. The Boilermakers will face the winner of another West Region game, with the regional final scheduled for the coming days in San Jose or another West Coast venue. The NCAA tournament continues with additional Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games across the remaining regions.
