HONOLULU – The first semifinal of the 2023 Allstate Maui Invitational featured the Purdue Boilermakers grinding out a hard-fought victory over the Tennessee Volunteers that sent PU to the championship game.
 
The game was a physical affair right from the opening tip. Tennessee showcased its elite defense in the opening frame, limiting Purdue to just 20% (6-30) shooting. However, the Boilermakers still found a way to put points on the board by playing aggressively at the rim and getting to the free throw line often. Purdue attempted 26 free throws in the opening frame, converting on 16.
 
Purdue's Zach Edey (10) and Fletcher Loyer (17) combined for 27 of Purdue's 30 first half points, while Dalton Knecht was the only player for UT to reach double figures in the opening period. The Vols led by one at the break.
 
PU opened the second half on a 13-4 run despite Edey leaving the game near the 14-minute mark after picking up his third foul. Each team continued to grind out every possession and left everything it had out on the floor, with the Boilermakers locking down defensively in the end as they forced the Vols to miss six of their last seven shots.

The Boilermakers will face the winner of Kansas and Marquette in the title game, while the Vols will face the loser of KU - MU in the third place game. The 2023 Allstate Maui Invitational is at noon HT / 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday and will be broadcast on ESPN. In addition, the third place game will be at 9:30 a.m. HT / 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.  
 
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