Rutgers men’s basketball fell in overtime against No.7 Michigan State 88-79, despite holding a 10 point lead several times in the second half. The Scarlet Knights had several chances to put the Spartans away, but missed free throws at the end of regulation would come back to haunt them in overtime.
Jaxson Kohler would open the scoring for Michigan State before Darren Buchanan Jr. would answer with a three-pointer for Rutgers, giving them a one-point lead. The Knights’ defense pressured the Spartans
early, picking up a few fouls but forcing their opponent to take more time off the shot clock before they found an opening. This, and a few missed shots from Michigan State, allowed the Knights to take an 8-7 lead after five minutes of play. Rutgers three point shooting would get hot over the next few minutes, going on a 10-0 run before a timeout was called with just under 10 minutes to play in the first half.
The Spartans would start to have fouls pile up on themselves, as Rutgers would take a 10-point lead with five minutes left in the first half. The Knights would hold that lead, going into the lockerroom up 37-28. Michigan State would have 10 turnovers in the half while Rutgers only had 1. After 20 minutes of play, Tariq Francis would have 12 points while Buchanan Jr. had 10.
JaMichael Davis would hit a three-pointer to open up the second half. Michigan State would draw closer several times over the first 10 minutes of the second half, but Rutgers would answer each time, keeping their 10 point lead. Francis would lead the way during this time, scoring 7 points over that span.
The Spartans would cut Rutgers lead to five points forcing head coach Steve Pikiell to take a timeout with 6:45 left to play. Harun Zrno would hit a three pointer after the timeout to put the Knights back up 8. Michigan State would go on an 8-2 run to cut Rutgers lead to three with 1:52 left to play in the game. The Spartans would tie it up after a Jeremy Fears Jr. bucket and one, but free throw makes from Francis and Davis would put the Knights back up three. However, a free throw battle that included a few misses from Davis, plus a three pointer by Michigan state’s Divine Ugochukwu would send the game to overtime.
Despite Rutgers effort all game, they could not find effective scoring in overtime, as the Spartans would pull away to seal the win.
Rutgers would get pounded in the rebound department all game, as the Spartans out-rebounded them 45-22. Michigan State would grab seven more offensive rebounds which led to them out scoring Rutgers 18-7 in second chance points.
Fears Jr. would have a career night, scoring 29 points. Carson Cooper had a great night as well, scoring 14 points and grabbing 14 rebounds, picking up a double-double for Michigan State.
Despite the loss, the Knights outplayed their opponent in many different areas. They forced 10 more turnovers than they had and out shot Michigan State from three. Every player who scored for the Knights in this game had over 10 points each. However, only five Knights total got on the board during this game.
It was an inspiring performance, but Rutgers could not do what it needed to do to win. If the Knights find a way to play like this against lesser competition, and address the rebounding issues they had in this game, they could add a few more Big Ten wins before the season is over.
Up next, the Rutegrs men’s basketball team will now leave New Jersey for the west coast, as they are set to have back-to-back matches against USC and UCLA. The Knights are set to tip off against the Trojans this Saturday at 7 p.m. Live coverage for the game will be available on Peacock.
