Rutgers men's basketball earns 1st Big Ten victory in down-to-the-wire finish against Penn State
The Rutgers men’s basketball team returned home to Jersey Mike’s Arena on Livingston campus, beating Penn State in an 80-76 nailbiter on Tuesday. The Scarlet Knights (6-4,1-1) earned their first Big Ten conference victory of the season, snapping a three-game losing streak.
The Nittany Lions (8-2, 1-1) were coming off a huge victory, taking down No. 11 Purdue at home last Thursday, but they were not able to build off their momentum against the Knights.
It was a sloppy beginning for Rutgers as it started off with three turnovers in its first four possessions. They quickly turned it around, spearheaded by a three-pointer from freshman guard Dylan Harper.
Harper was on fire in the early going, knocking down his first three attempts from downtown. Harper picked up right where he left off while out on the road with a 24-point performance doing it driving, shooting and dunking.
From that point forward, the “Trapezoid of Terror” was in full effect.
“I feel like (the crowd) was louder than the Ohio State game last year that made me commit,” freshman guard Ace Bailey said. “It was loud.”
Bailey wasn’t playing the offensive game he has regularly displayed with his tough shot-making and creating, but he did a fine job impacting the game on the glass and scoring the gritty points off putbacks.
The first half was highlighted by one of Rutgers’ best defensive halves of the season. As far as intensity was concerned, the Knights brought it. Fans have been accustomed to a certain physical style of play in head coach Steve Pikiell’s tenure, but that hasn’t been as evident this season as past ones.
That first half was a reminder of Rutgers’ best defensive styles, as it neutralized one of the Big Ten’s best scorers, Ace Baldwin Jr., to just 6 points in the half and 8 for the entire game.
The score stood at 48-33 in favor of the home team at the half.
Penn State came out at the start of the second half hot and went on a 7-0 run, forcing a timeout from Pikiell.
The Knights were in command for the majority of this game but weren’t able to ever go on a big run offensively to put them away for good.
Although it was close the whole way, the Rutgers lead felt safe with big second halves from Harper and Bailey.
That was until Zach Hicks hit a deep three for the Nittany Lions to cut it to a one-possession lead for the Knights. After some more free throw miscues from Rutgers - a lingering issue for the Knights throughout the game - it was time for Penn State’s Ace to steal the show.
His three-pointer to tie the game in the final seconds, though, was no good, as Rutgers was able to hold on.
A crucial part of the Knights’ victory was their rebounding. It’s been an issue at many points this season, especially in their five consecutive road games. But tonight, they were dominant from start to finish on the boards and ended up winning the battle on the glass 46-32.
“Really happy with the backboards. Love the way we played and attacked rebounds,” said Pikiell. “Ace 15 and 12 for Dylan - career highs…next game gotta be 17.”
This is the type of team win that both fans and coaches expect from this group. It featured important secondary scoring from players like junior guard Jordan Dercack, along with Harper and Bailey running the show with their matching double-doubles.
After dropping 4 out of their last 5 games, tonight had to be a get-right game back at home, and it was exactly that.
“We came back (from Ohio State) Sunday and got to work,” Pikiell said. “They’re learning. It's a newly assembled group.”
Rutgers will next play in-state rival Seton Hall at home on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m., with the game being broadcast on Fox Sports 1 and 88.7 WRSU-FM.
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