Feb. 11, 2017
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Video: Postgame Press Conference
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers (13-13, 2-11) had three players score in double figures and committed its fewest turnovers in a Big Ten game this season, but was unable to overcome its struggles at the free throw line in a 72-63 loss to Minnesota (18-7, 6-6) Saturday afternoon at the RAC. The Scarlet Knights were 10-of-22 at the charity stripe, while the Gophers deposited 13-of-15.
Rutgers was within five with possession in the final stages, but a three-point attempt by Nigel Johnson with just over a minute to play rattled-out in another hard-fought defeat. Seven of RU's last 10 games have been decided by single digits.
"I like this team," said Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell. "We're scrappy. We're tough. We do the little things, usually. We just have to get them to do a few more of the little things. A couple of those free throws, a few of those blocks have to turn into charges. We have to make some plays down the stretch."
Mike Williams and C.J. Gettys both scored 14 points and Corey Sanders added 13 to pace the RU offense. Williams was 6-of-12 from the field, while Gettys shot 5-of-8 and grabbed eight rebounds.
The Scarlet Knights benefitted from a 13-6 advantage in points-off-turnovers and out-scored UMN 16-2 in fast break points.
After falling behind early, RU went on a seven-point run to tie the contest at nine at the first media timeout. The game remained tightly contested with the Gophers maintaining a slight edge, as a Williams' triple kept Rutgers within two, 23-21.
An 11-2 burst by the visitors enabled their first of two, 11-point leads in the opening 20 minutes. The home squad entered the locker room at the midpoint facing a 43-34 deficit.
Minnesota maintained the advantage for the remainder, but the Scarlet Knights did not go quietly. Rutgers twice reduced its deficit to five in the final minutes to bring the crowd to its feet. Missed free throws, however, prevented the comeback.
"I expect us to fight for the rest of the year," said Pikiell. "Teams aren't that excited about playing us anymore. I know that. Give Minnesota credit. I doesn't get any easier. We're off to Purdue next."
The Scarlet Knights return to the hardwood Tuesday at the No. 16/18 Boilermakers. The contest will tip-off at 7 p.m. (ET) on BTN.
Postgame Notes
Rutgers committed nine turnovers, tying for its fewest in a conference game this season (Northwestern, 1/12/17).
Seven of RU's last 10 games have been decided by single digits. Last season, 15 of the Scarlet Knights' 17 conference losses were by double digits.
Rutgers had 14 offensive rebounds, its 22nd game this season with double-digit totals on the offensive glass. RU entered today's game third nationally in offensive rebounds-per-game (15.16).
Gettys scored 14 points, his most in a Big Ten game. It marked his 11th time in double figures this season and his first time leading RU in scoring. Gettys also had eight rebounds to lead the team in the category for the third time in 2016-17.
Sanders' 13 points signaled his 18th time this season scoring in double figures and the 40th time in his RU career. He also had five assists, his sixth time this season reaching that plateau.
Williams' 14 points marked his 14th time scoring in double-digits this season and the 39th time in his RU career.
Postgame Quotes
Rutgers Head Coach Steve Pikiell
General thoughts on the game: "It was an uncharacteristic (rebounding) performance for us. I felt like we needed to be plus-10 on the glass, which would be the target number. They obviously did a great job. At halftime, they were at plus-10. So they out toughed us to some balls. We made our run back. We still had chances even after getting off to a slow start. Gave up way too many points in the first half. Our defense wasn't where it normally is and where it has to be in a league like this. That's on me. We've got to figure out the free throws too."
On the team's progress: "Everyone wants to be at the top of the mountain. But the journey is tough to get there. We bounced back and won a game at Penn State, had chances at Ohio State to win that game. Our guys have fought all year. I like this team. We're scrappy. We're tough. We do the little things usually. We just have to get them to do a few more of the little things. A couple of those free throws, a few of those blocks have to turn into charges. We have to make some plays down the stretch."
"This team has been resilient all year, except for that one game against Iowa, and they bounced back from that. I expect them to fight for the rest of the year. Teams aren't that excited about playing us any more, I know that. Give Minnesota credit. I doesn't get any easier, we're off to Purdue next. Everyone knows how good Purdue is. We're going to go out there and fight too. I'm proud of the team's development in that way. We have gotten better. I know what our record is, but we're playing much better teams obviously and we're getting better. We're in every game."
On the challenges in the last minutes: "We have to make some plays. The defensive end hurt us. They made a play on a layup that we've scouted hundreds of times, we were just a little bit too late. That's the league we're in, a little too late and its two points. If you're there early, it's a charge and it's going the other way. But we have to make some free throws too. That changes the whole tone for the other team. It's a little tighter. You leave a lot of points on the board, we're not a great scoring team, so we need to get those free points."
Minnesota Head Coach Richard Pitino
Opening statement: "Great win for us. I know the job Steve (Pikiell) is doing and know he'll get this thing turned around. I know with him and the great athletic director they have (Pat Hobbs), this thing is really moving in the right direction. We are proud of our guys to get our fourth road win in conference, it is very challenging in this league. Three (wins) in a row is obviously challenging. And we are playing our best basketball and it is most important to do that in February. Guys are making winning plays. Jordan Murphy set the tone in the first half. Our rebounding really set the tone in the first half. We played extremely hard after a double-overtime game and a long flight. So a lot to be extremely proud of and excited about."
On winning the rebounding battle: "I thought a lot of it had to do with Jordan Murphy. He set the tone from a rebounding standpoint. But our guys really battled and I told our guys like Nate Mason, 'You need to have a couple rebounds. Amir (Coffey) has to have a couple rebounds. Akeem (Springs) needs a couple rebounds.' Rutgers is a terrific rebounding team. So when I looked at the stat sheet in the first half and saw we were plus 10, I knew we would be sitting in a good spot. They made some plays to come back in the second half, but at the end of the day, Nate Mason just made some winnings plays for us."
On the importance of rebounding: "In this league - and we looked up the numbers - statistically if you want to finish in the top five, you better be in the top half in rebounding. That's the way you win in this league. Some other things may not go your way, but you can always rebound the ball. Second chance points, we had 20. We made our free throws when we needed to. So we did a lot of little things when we hadn't done that all year. We are starting to do that."
On returning to the RAC after last's year situation: "Last year was a challenging end. We had been playing well and had beaten a top-five Maryland team, Rutgers and then had to suspend guys and Joey King got hurt. It was impossible to win. That was really tough. I remember walking in here and going 'this brings back bad memories.' Now that we are at full strength, we are a pretty good team. And I think we can continue to get better. After 25 games, I love where we sit."
On Rutgers: "They play hard and they play tough. You never know if you are going to be able to do that with guys you didn't recruit. He has those guys inspired. They're fighting and they're close. They were at Ohio State and it was a tie game with a minute to go. Someone fouled for a four-point play and that kind of ended it. But it is a scrappy, scrappy team and they have the rebounding numbers and are top 50 in (defensive efficiency rating). And they are doing that just trying to build a base. That's what you try to do in your first year. It is very obvious what (Steve Pikiell) is trying to do. He is trying to get his guys to play scrappy, tough UConn-type basketball. That very evident. They have an identity and I believe well-coached teams have an identity.
