Did Purdue Win Last Night? Arizona Wins 79-64 in Elite Eight

Fans woke up Sunday morning asking one question: did Purdue win last night? The short answer is no — and the loss stings. On Saturday, March 28, 2026, the No. 2 seed Purdue Boilermakers were eliminated from the 2026 NCAA Tournament by No. 1 seed Arizona, 79-64, in the Elite Eight in San Jose, California. What made the defeat especially painful was the manner of it: Purdue dominated the first half, led by seven at the break, and then watched the game completely slip away in the final 17 minutes. It was a stunning second-half collapse that ended the season — and the college careers — of several beloved Boilermaker seniors.

Final Score: Arizona 79, Purdue 64 — What Happened?

The Elite Eight matchup between Arizona and Purdue was shaping up to be a classic for the first 20 minutes. Purdue came out firing from beyond the arc, hitting an impressive seven of 14 three-point attempts in the first half to build a 38-31 halftime lead. The Boilermakers looked sharp, controlled, and fully capable of punching their ticket to the Final Four.

Then the second half happened.

According to CBS Sports, Arizona outscored Purdue 44-22 over the final 17 minutes and 12 seconds of the game, turning a seven-point deficit into a 15-point victory. Even more telling: Purdue went 0-for on three-pointers in the entire second half after making seven in the first. The hot shooting that fueled their first-half lead vanished completely, and Arizona's defense — coupled with a renewed offensive burst — overwhelmed the Boilermakers.

The final score of 79-64 wasn't even close to telling the full story of how dominant Arizona was down the stretch.

Arizona's Heroes: Koa Peat, Kharchenkov, and Bradley Step Up

Arizona's comeback was powered by a trio of standout performances. Freshman Koa Peat was the game's best player, finishing with a game-high 20 points and seven rebounds. His ability to create in the paint and hit shots in pressure moments gave the Wildcats a go-to option when they needed it most in the second half.

Forward Ivan Kharchenkov added 18 points and eight rebounds, providing a reliable interior presence that Purdue struggled to contain. Guard Jaden Bradley rounded out Arizona's top performers with 14 points and six assists, helping to orchestrate the Wildcats' second-half surge with efficient playmaking.

The combination of Peat's scoring, Kharchenkov's physicality, and Bradley's passing gave Arizona multiple weapons Purdue simply couldn't account for simultaneously — a hallmark of a Final Four-caliber team.

Purdue's Performance: A Tale of Two Halves

For Purdue, the night began with genuine promise. Senior guard Braden Smith — the Division I career assists leader — finished with 13 points, seven assists, and five rebounds. His playmaking was evident throughout, but his shooting let him down at a critical moment: Smith missed 11 of his 15 shot attempts on the night.

Oscar Cluff delivered a strong individual effort with 14 points and 10 rebounds, providing a double-double that kept Purdue competitive. But without sustained three-point shooting in the second half, Purdue's offense stalled at the worst possible time.

The statistical story is stark. Purdue made seven 3-pointers in the first half and zero in the second half — a complete reversal of fortune that Arizona's defense engineered through halftime adjustments. Once the Wildcats took away the perimeter game, Purdue had no consistent answer.

Per USA Today, Arizona's comeback to advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2001 was one of the most dramatic turnarounds of this year's tournament.

End of an Era: Purdue Seniors Play Their Final Game

The loss carries even more weight when you consider what it represents for Purdue's program. Seniors Fletcher Loyer, Braden Smith, and Trey Kaufman-Renn played their final college game Saturday night. The trio played 147 games together as Boilermakers — a remarkable run that included deep tournament runs and memorable moments.

Kaufman-Renn, in particular, had delivered a moment for the ages just two days earlier. On March 26, Purdue defeated Texas 79-77 in the Sweet 16 on a Kaufman-Renn putback with less than a second remaining — one of the most dramatic buzzer-beaters of the 2026 tournament. You can read more about that stunning finish at MSN Sports and the full breakdown of Purdue's thrilling win over Texas.

That Sweet 16 miracle made the Elite Eight exit feel all the more abrupt. The Boilermakers rode momentum, heart, and incredible drama to reach the Elite Eight — only to run into an Arizona team that simply played better when it mattered most.

Arizona Advances: First Final Four Since 2001

For Arizona fans, Saturday night was historic. The Wildcats are heading to the Final Four in Indianapolis for the first time in 25 years — since the 2001 tournament. That drought made the victory even sweeter, and the program's players, coaches, and fanbase had every reason to celebrate.

Arizona's next opponent in the Final Four will be either No. 1 seed Michigan or No. 6 seed Tennessee. Regardless of who they face, the Wildcats arrive as a legitimate national championship contender after their dominant second-half performance against one of the tournament's best teams.

As CBS Sports noted, Arizona's tournament run has been one of the compelling storylines of the 2026 March Madness bracket, and it only gets bigger from here.

If you want to follow along with the Final Four, a quality viewing setup makes a difference. Check out the NCAA basketball wall mount TV options on Amazon, or grab a sports recliner chair stadium seat to watch the Final Four in comfort. Die-hard Boilermaker fans looking to remember this year's run can also find Purdue Boilermakers basketball gear to rep the team through the offseason.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Purdue win last night?

No. Purdue lost to Arizona 79-64 in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 28, 2026, in San Jose, California. The loss eliminated Purdue from the tournament.

Who scored the most points for Purdue against Arizona?

Oscar Cluff led Purdue with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Braden Smith added 13 points and seven assists but struggled with his shot, missing 11 of 15 field goal attempts.

How did Arizona come back against Purdue?

After trailing 38-31 at halftime, Arizona outscored Purdue 44-22 over the final 17 minutes and 12 seconds. A key factor: Purdue went 0-for on three-pointers in the second half after making seven in the first half, while Arizona's defense made major halftime adjustments.

Who is Braden Smith and why is his loss significant?

Braden Smith is Purdue's senior guard and the Division I all-time career assists leader. Saturday's loss was the final game of his college career. Along with fellow seniors Fletcher Loyer and Trey Kaufman-Renn, Smith played 147 games as a Boilermaker — a legacy generation for the program.

Where is Arizona headed after beating Purdue?

Arizona advances to the Final Four in Indianapolis, where they will face either No. 1 seed Michigan or No. 6 seed Tennessee. It is Arizona's first Final Four appearance since 2001.

Conclusion: Purdue's Season Ends on a Bitter Note

For anyone who searched "did Purdue win last night" on Sunday morning, the answer is a disappointing no. The Boilermakers put together an impressive March Madness run — capped by the dramatic buzzer-beater victory over Texas — but Arizona proved to be a step too far. The Wildcats' second-half dominance, powered by Koa Peat's 20-point performance and a defense that completely shut down Purdue's three-point shooting, was too much to overcome.

The silver lining for Purdue fans: this team fought hard, gave us unforgettable moments, and sent three beloved seniors out with the effort they deserved. For Arizona, history has been made — and the Final Four awaits.