Takeaways | Rutgers basketball beats USC, takes another step toward Big Ten Tournament berth

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PISCATAWAY – Rutgers basketball took another big step Sunday toward qualifying for the Big Ten Tournament.

The fact the Scarlet Knights are even in this position reflects just how much of a disappointment – if not full-blown disaster – this season has been, but Steve Pikiell’s team is in a good spot to at least put together a miracle run in the conference tournament next month in Indianapolis.

Rutgers on Sunday beat USC 95-85 at Jersey Mike’s Arena behind 25 points from star freshman guard Dylan Harper for its second consecutive victory and its second-to-last home game of the season.

Harper also had two rebounds, nine assists and a career-high six steals in another solid performance.

Rutgers’ scoring output was its most ever in regulation against a Big Ten team.

The Scarlet Knights are bunched up at the bottom of the conference standings. While Sunday’s victory didn’t clinch anything, it at least put Rutgers in a commanding spot of qualifying.

Feb 23, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; USC Trojans guard Wesley Yates III (6) shoots the ball while being defended by Rutgers Scarlet Knights forward Bryce Dortch (8) and Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Dylan Harper (2) during the first half at Jersey Mike’s Arena. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

Rutgers led for nearly the entire game, but took full control in the final minutes of the second half.

The Scarlet Knights reeled off a 14-4 run to take a 17-point lead with just less than five minutes to go.

They needed it as USC sliced Rutgers’ lead back to single digits, but the Scarlet Knights hit key free throws (including six from Jamichael Davis, who had 13 points) in the final minute to seal the win.

Rutgers shot 55.6 percent from the field and went 9-of-20 (45.0 percent) from long distance. It also went 26-of-28 from the free-throw line.

“We’re a good foul-shooting group. We spend a lot of time on it,” Pikiell said. “Tonight to be able to do that was great.”

Defense was practically nonexistent from both teams much of…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/takeaways-rutgers-basketball-beats-usc-012620338.html

Author : App.com | Asbury Park Press

Publish date : 2025-02-24 01:26:00

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