LOUISVILLE, KY. – Carsen Edwards' reaction was a mix of surprise and giddiness when he learned he had joined Steph Curry in a scoring accomplishment in the NCAA tournament.
Purdue's Carsen Edwards puts late-season slump behind him in NCAA tournament
March 30, 2019 at 12:00AM
On Thursday, Edwards became the first player since Curry in 2008 to score 25 points in four consecutive tournament games.
"Ooh!" Edwards said, breaking into laughter.
"That's pretty dope," he said. "I didn't know that. It's a blessing to be here and have an opportunity to play at this level and play with a bunch of good guys and a good staff that believes in me. When it comes down to it, I don't even really care about the points. I just want to win."
Edwards scored a game-high 29 points in Purdue's 99-94 overtime victory over Tennessee to advance to the South Regional final. He has scored 97 points in three tournament games this year, including 42 against Villanova in the second round. He had 30 points in a Sweet 16 loss to Texas Tech last season.
Edwards led the Big Ten in scoring this season at 23.8 points per game. He endured a shooting slump and sore back late in the season but has regained his health and shooting touch in the tournament.
Edwards was fouled shooting a three-pointer with one second left and Purdue trailing the Vols 82-80. He missed his first free throw but made the next two to force overtime.
"He's very confident," Purdue coach Matt Painter said.
CHIP SCOGGINS
Sophia Boman and Sophia Romine scored second-half goals as the Gophers advanced to the third round for only the third time in program history.
