NCAA Tournament: Purdue Outlasts Siena; Missouri Defeats Clemson

United States (AHN) – JaJuan Johnson poured in 23 points, and Keaton Grant added 11 points to open the second half, as fourth-seeded Purdue rallied to defeat Siena, the No. 13 seed, 72-64 in the first round of the NCAA tournament’s South Regional Friday.

Johnson also tied a career-high 15 rebounds, helping the Boilermakers (28-5) take the lead in the decisive half to avoid a first-round upset.

Purdue entered the second half behind three points, but the Boilermakers controlled play  from there to seal the emotional comeback thanks in part to the tandem of Johnson-Grant.

E’Twaun Moore finished with 12 points for Purdue and forward Ryan Rossiter added 10, grabbing 12 rebounds for the Saints, who dropped to 27-7.

In other NCAA action:

Kim English tallied 20 points and Keith Ramsey came off the bench to notch 20 points with seven rebounds, as Missouri defeated Clemson 86-78 in a first round contest.

Missouri (23-10) had 15 steals that resulted in 20 turnovers and the team won its fifth consecutive opening-round contest.

Clemson senior Trevor Booker, limited to 11 points in the game, was shutdown by the Tigers defense.

Demontez Stitt added 21 points and teammates Andre Young collected 19 and Jerai Grant picked up 12 for Clemson.

Laurence Bowers finished third in scoring for Missouri with 15 points.

Clemson fell to 21-11 with the loss.

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