Feb. 14, 2017
USATSI Gallery 
Box Score
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Junior guard Nigel Johnson was 5-of-6 from behind the arc to post a career-high 23 points, but Rutgers (13-14, 2-12) was unable to overcome a 42-18 scoring disparity in the paint in a 74-55 loss to No. 16 Purdue (21-5, 10-3)) Tuesday night at Mackey Arena. The Scarlet Knights tied their season-high with eight three-pointers while competing in their 11th game over 16 contests against an opponent that has been ranked or receiving votes this season.
"They've got great players," said Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell. "They really share the game. I knew the backboards would be key tonight. We've been a pretty good rebounding team, but we didn't look like one tonight. It was a tough environment to play in against a very good team."
The Boilermakers out-rebounded RU 45-28 and had two players, Caleb Swanigan and Isaac Haas, register double-doubles.
Redshirt junior forward Deshawn Freeman joined Johnson in double digits. He shot 5-of-10 from the field to score 12 points, while grabbing a team-best five rebounds.
Purdue used a hot stroke from behind the arc to race out to an early advantage. By making five of their first eight three-point attempts, the Boilermakers enabled a 12-2 run to take a 25-12 lead.
Rutgers punched back. Back-to-back threes from Johnson and Corey Sanders cut the deficit to seven. Johnson was red hot early, scoring 14 of the Scarlet Knights' first 21 points. RU used a 14-6 burst overall to cut the Purdue advantage to five.
Behind 14 points from Johnson and six three-pointers (four from Johnson), the visitors were within seven (33-26) at the break.
Rutgers reduced its deficit to four early in the second half, as Issa Thiam knocked down the team's seventh three-pointer. The Boilermakers pushed their lead to 10 at 45-35, before head coach Steve Pikiell countered with a lineup change. Inserting two seven-footers (Shaquille Doorson and Ibrahima Diallo), RU rallied with four consecutive points.
The home squad answered back, however, with 14-4 run that put them in front 59-43 with eight minutes to play. They held control for the remainder to complete the 19-point victory.
Next up for the Scarlet Knights is a trip to Northwestern. Tipoff is at 6 p.m. Saturday on ESPNU.
Postgame Notes
Johnson had a career-best 23 points. He set a career-high with five three-pointers made. It was his third time this year scoring at least 20 points (fourth career) and 17th time this year reaching double-figures (27th career).
With eight three-pointers, Rutgers tied its season high (also eight threes made versus Drexel).
The team's six threes in the first half were its most in any half this year.
Freeman reached double digit scoring for the 15th time this season and 20th in his career.
Rutgers held Purdue's Caleb Swanigan to his third lowest scoring output of the season.
Purdue now leads the all-time series 8-1
Postgame Quotes
Rutgers Head Coach Steve Pikiell
"Tough game. Give Purdue a ton of credit. I really like the team after all the film I watched. Coach Painter is doing a great job. They've got great players. They really share the game. I knew the back boards would be key tonight. We've been a pretty good rebounding team. But we didn't look like one tonight. Tough environment to play in against a very good team. Scoring 55 points isn't going to get the job done on the road."
On defending Isaac Haas and Caleb Swanigan
"They've got two great players. What a luxury. And one off the bench. They caused many problems. They surround those guys with good shooters, and they are good passers. I thought we did a decent job on (Swanigan), I really did. Obviously Haas was big tonight. They're a good basketball team, they pose many problems for you because of their ability to post up and then pass the ball. And then (Swanigan) steps out and makes threes too. They pose a lot of problems when you look at film of these guys. Having a couple days to prepare - you probably need a month to prepare."
On Nigel Johnson (career-high 23 points)
"He's a good shooter. He hasn't had days like this from three. He's made baskets though. He's had games, he's been a streaky shooter. Thank god he stepped up tonight, he kept us hanging around a little bit because of his efforts. It was nice to have him, we needed someone else to join the party with him."
On Purdue's assertiveness inside
"We tried to take away threes. That was one of our game plans. They still got a lot up. They average nine and a half and they still made eight. They kill you from three, especially in the first half. I thought that every time we didn't get back in transition, they were able to hit. When we were running guys off the line, they were driving it into the paint because those two guys are so big, you are usually in a wrestling match with those two bigs. It's very hard to rotate to go and help. When you do, they get the ball up on the rim and those guys are almost impossible around the basket. In the post, you pick your poison. Do you want to double them? You really have to pick your poison, we tried to take away threes tonight. We thought are bigs could play with them, and that obviously wasn't a great gameplan."
