KNOXVILLE, Tenn — No. 7 Tennessee lost to No. 2 Purdue, 71-67, in the Maui Invitational semifinals on Tuesday night.
Dalton Knecht sparked the offense for Tennessee early. He scored seven of UT's first 14 points, connecting on two three-pointers, as UT led 14-11 with 13:38 left in the first half.
UT held Purdue scoreless for nearly six minutes, thanks in part to Purdue missing some free throws. Tennessee was up 20-11 with a 10-0 run during that Boilermakers scoring drought.
The Boilermakers scored as reigning national player of the year Zach Edey became a force on the boards and down in the paint. UT's forwards Tobe Awaka, Jonas Aidoo and J.P. Estrella all were in foul trouble in the first half because of Edey's efforts.
The Vols held a lead at the under four-minute timeout 27-26. Edey picked up his second foul before the last-minute timeout of the half.
At halftime, Tennessee led Purdue 31-30. Tennessee held Purdue to 20% shooting in the first half, however, the Boilermakers had 26 free throw attempts and made 16 of them. The Boilermakers also had 12 offensive rounds in the first half.
Knecht had 13 first-half points.
Purdue got off to a quick start in the second half, going on a 10-2 run to take a 40-33 lead making four of five shots in that run.
UT struggled to shoot starting the second half, going one of nine from the field and Purdue led 43-35 with 13:36 to go. At the under 12-minute timeout, the Vols pulled within three after a Zakai Zeigler three-pointer. UT trailed 45-42 with 11:15 to go.
A critical moment happened when Edey picked up his fourth foul of the game with nine minutes to go. After free throws, Tennessee trailed 50-48.
The Vols and Boilermakers exchanged buckets and blows in this physical game.
The Vols trailed 61-56 when Awaka stole the ball after a Purdue defensive rebound and scored. Tennessee was able to tie the game on a Jordan Gainey three that made it 61-61.
Awaka fouled out of the game with 3:44 to go, which put Purdue at the free-throw line where they retook a lead up 62-61. Edey checked back into the game for the first time since picking up his fourth foul.
Jonas Aidoo picked up his fifth foul and fouled out with just over two minutes to go. Edey hit a free throw following the foul. Fletcher Loywer made two free throws after another foul for Purdue. Edey made another free throw. Then, Braden Smith made a jump shot for a 70-64 lead.
Knecht connected on a three-pointer with 14 seconds left to make it 70-67.
Purdue made a free throw to make it a four-point game and closed it out from there.
The Boilermakers shot 48 free throws in the game, making 29 of them.
The Vols play in the third/fourth place game of the Maui Invitational on Wednesday against No. 1 Kansas.
