Trey Kaufman-Renn carries Purdue past N.C. State in San Diego opener

SAN DIEGO — Behind an utterly dominant game from Trey Kaufman-Renn and distinct sparks from Camden Heide and Gicarri Harris, No. 13 Purdue beat N.C. State 71-61` Thursday in San Diego to advance to Friday’s title game at the Rady’s Children Invitational.

Kaufman-Renn scored 22 points, including Purdue’s first six of the second half, propelling the Boilermakers from being up just one at half to leading by as many as 13 in the second half.

Heide and Harris, meanwhile, scored 15 and eight. respectively, but combined for a slew of timely shots or important effort plays.

After a subpar opening few minutes for Purdue, Heide ignited the Boilermakers with a dunk and a three in transition, sparking a 13-0 run that nearly pushed Purdue to a double-digit lead. But N.C. State hung around, then outscored Purdue 904 before halftime after Kaufman-Renn picked up his second foul with 5:25 left in the first. The lead was just one at halftime despite Purdue turning the ball over only twice and outrebounding the Wolfpack.

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