Box Score Video: Highlights Video: Postgame Locker Room Reaction
Video: Coach Jordan Postgame Press Conference
Photo Gallery
Audio: Radio Call of Game's End
Audio Highlights
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - With 21 points from senior guard Myles Mack and another 20 points out of senior forward Kadeem Jack, Rutgers (10-7, 2-2) defeated No. 4/4 Wisconsin (15-2, 3-1), 67-62, Sunday night at the RAC. It was the highest ranked victory in program history for the Scarlet Knights, who out-scored the Badgers 44-27 in the second half.
With RU up just two points with 24 seconds left, Jack went to the line and sank both free throws to put Rutgers back up four points. Another free throw from Mack - who was 5-of-6 from the charity stripe - sealed the victory for the Scarlet Knights.
The win, in large part, came courtesy of Rutgers' efficient shooting in the second half. Down by as much as 14 points in the contest, RU shot an efficient 67 percent (16-of-24) from the field after the midpoint and 54 percent (25-of-46) overall. The Scarlet Knights held Wisconsin to just 38 percent (9-of-24) after halftime. The Scarlet Knights overcame a 13-point second half defict in the comeback victory.
Rutgers' bench also played a crucial role, as senior forward Malick Kone scored seven critical points - including a three-pointer to bring Rutgers within two points in the second half - while freshman center Shaquille Doorsen converted a big dunk during RU's comeback.
Jack paced RU in the first half, continuously attacking the basket to the tune of eight points before the midpoint. Junior guard Bishop Daniels - who scored nine points in the win - complimented Jack with seven first half points.
But Wisconsin was in control and took a 35-23 lead into the locker room, shooting 47 percent (15-of-32) from the field during the period.
Rutgers continued to fight in the second half, with a 5-0 scoring run capped by a dunk from Jack, which cut the Badger's lead to just eight points with 18:01 to go.
Jack threw down another dunk shortly after, this one coming off a coast-to-coast steal with 17:08 to make it 40-30 Wisconsin. A three-pointer by Mack then made it just a seven point contest at the 16:34 mark.
From there, Rutgers began to make its comeback. Rutgers made three, three-pointers during a 12-9 scoring run, including one from Mack that tied the game, 46-46, with 12:19 to go. Mack had four three-pointers in the second half.
Both teams traded buckets, and Mack's two free throws at the 7:19 mark gave Rutgers its first lead of the contest, a 54-53 advantage.
Rutgers continued to add to its advantage thanks to Mack and sophomore forward Junior Etou. Etou threw down a thunderous two-handed dunk at the 5:17 mark, giving the Scarlet Knights a three point lead. Mack then converted two more free throws on the next possession to increase Rutgers lead to 58-53.
Jack gave the Scarlet Knights its largest lead of the contest, when RU went up seven points off of his layup. But Wisconsin was able to come back. A two-point jumper by Badger guard Bronson Koenig made it 64-62 with 24 second remaining, but Rutgers was able to hold on for the victory.
Three players scored in double figures for Wisconsin, with forwards Nigel Hayes and Sam Dekker each contributing 15 points.
The Scarlet Knights return to action Wednesday (Jan. 14) when they travel to No. 14 Maryland. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. for the game, which will be televised nationally on the Big Ten Network.
POST-GAME QUOTES
Rutgers Head Coach Eddie Jordan
Opening Statement: "Our two big guns [Myles Mack and Kadeem Jack] stepped up for us and we played great defense today as a group. Malick Kone was an unsung hero for us, Junior Etou was just a stud throughout the entire game and it was just great partnership for 20 minutes at both ends of the floor. We knew Kadeem and Myles had to get their attempts, and they did. It was the right time and the right way. We respect [Wisconsin]. It's one of the classiest programs in the country."
On the Magnitude of the victory: "Tomorrow morning when I wake up I'll have it for you. It means so much the next morning when you're by yourself and you ask `What happened?' It's a great win for the program. Our crowd was here to witness it. Hopefully that taste in their mouths will make that happen more. We need them to be here for us, so it's just a classy effort for our group"
On the Team's Approach: "We just want to do it our way, do it classy and do it with integrity. We have a character team. They're great kids, they want to learn and they're really coachable. I enjoy coaching this team, win or lose. We just had a great time this week in practice."
On What the Win means for the Program: "I'm just happy for the community. We've suffered and I'm just happy for everyone. I'm happy for the state, our faculty and everyone who supports us. This is part of the healing process and what we've talked about. I love my school, I love this community and I'm happy for it."
Wisconsin Head Coach Bo Ryan
On Rutgers' comeback in second half: "They got it going with the threes. (Myles) Mack hit that string there and energized them. I think they fed off of that. I think that was the biggest thing. We didn't shoot it well, haven't recently. Josh Gasser is one of the best three-point shooters in the nation, Sam (Dekker) is not bad, and between the two of them they went 0-for-9. We can't go on the road in the Big Ten and do that."
On rebounding without Frank Kaminsky in lineup: "I thought we did okay. You play with what you have."
Thoughts on offense: "We had a lot of wide-open shots, some threes. We started to score inside and that left our three-point shooters open. I'd love to have those shots again. I thought we had more wide-open shots in this game than any other Big Ten game."
On missing players: "Other guys have to step up and play. You know me, guys have to play. Next man up."
POSTGAME NOTES
· The No. 4/4 Badgers are the highest ranked opponent Rutgers has ever beaten. The previous best was No. 6 West Virginia in 1982. It was the 10th victory all-time for Rutgers over a top 10-ranked team.
· Rutgers shot 54.3 percent (25-of-46) for the game. It was their best field goal percentage of the season and their best since shooting 60.3 percent versus Stillman College on Nov. 25, 2013.
· Myles Mack led the team with 21 points. It was the fourth time this season he scored at least 20 points and the eighth time this year he led the team in scoring.
· Mack now has 1,462 career points. He moved past Kelvin Troy and Abdel Anderson into 12th place on Rutgers career scoring list.
· Kadeem Jack had 20 points. It was the fourth time this year he scored at least 20 points and the eighth time in his career.
· It was the second time this season that Mack and Jack each scored 20 points in the same game. They had the same amount of points (Mack - 21, Jack - 20) in a win over Vanderbilt on Nov. 28.
· Rutgers shot 66.7 percent in the second half. That was their best shooting percentage in any half this season.
· The Scarlet Knights committed just seven turnovers. It was the fifth time this year RU committed less than 10 turnovers.
· The 44 points in the second half were most in any half during Big Ten play, and the third time this year RU scored at least 40 points in a half.
· Malik Kone set season-highs in points (7), minutes (22), assists (3), and tied a season high in rebounds (3).
· Bishop Daniels made his first start since Nov. 28 and scored nine points.
· Rutgers is now 1-3 all-time versus Wisconsin.
