Feb. 22, 2017
USATSI Gallery 
Box Score
Photo Gallery RVision: Postgame Press Conference
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers (13-16, 2-14) committed a season-low turnovers and held a four-point advantage with under seven minutes to play, but could not complete the upset in a 68-64 loss to Michigan (18-10, 8-7) Wednesday evening at the RAC. The Scarlet Knights deposited 10-of-13 free throw attempts in the hard-fought defeat, RU's ninth single-digit decision in its last 13 contests.
"We compete like crazy," said Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell. "Now we have to complete games. We didn't do that tonight, but I'm proud of our guys. We are fighting. We played an outstanding team that is fighting for a NCAA at-large bid."
RU overcame a 10-point deficit to take a lead in just its seventh game at the RAC over its past 18 contests.
Corey Sanders, Mike Williams and Nigel Johnson scored in double-digits for Rutgers, which shot 40.7 percent (24-of-59) and 6-of-16 (37.5 percent) from behind the arc. Sanders posted 17 points, Williams added 14 on 5-of-10 shooting with eight rebounds and Johnson contributed 12 points on 5-of-10 field goal attempts.
The Wolverines also shot 40.7 percent (22-of-54), while depositing 10-of-31 (32.3 percent) three-point attempts. The visitors won the battle on the boards, 40-33, marking just the fourth time the Scarlet Knights have been out-rebounded in Big Ten play this season.
"Our guys are fighting," said Pikiell. "Today, we didn't rebound, which is something we usually do. But we made free throws and we didn't turn the ball over, so we improved in those areas. We played a team that can really shoot the ball."
Michigan led by as much as nine points in the opening half, helped by six three-pointers. The Scarlet Knights fought back and reduced the deficit to two, 24-22, on a Deshawn Freeman triple, before entering the locker room at the midpoint with a UM holding 35-28 advantage.
UM's largest advantage, 10 points, occurred twice early in the second stanza before the home squad stormed back. A C.J. Gettys jumper capped a six-point run and provided RU a 51-50 lead.
The Scarlet Knights worked a four-point, 56-52, advantage before a 10-point run put the visitors ahead for good. RU reduced the deficit to just two twice in the final minutes but could get no closer.
The Scarlet Knights return to the hardwood Tuesday versus No. 24 Maryland at the RAC. Tip-off is set for 6:30 on BTN.
Postgame Notes
Rutgers' seven turnovers was a season-low and signaled its fewest turnovers in a game since also producing seven against Purdue on Jan. 18, 2016.
Rutgers shot 76.9 percent from the free throw line, its best mark from the charity stripe in conference play this season.
Corey Sanders scored 15 points, reaching double-figures for the 20th time this season (42nd career). He led the team in scoring for the 13th time this season.
Mike Williams scored 14 points, reaching double figures for the 15th time this season (40th career).
Nigel Johnson scored 12 points, reaching double figures for the 19th time this season (29th career).
Deshawn Freeman had a team-high nine rebounds, pacing the team on the boards for the 20th time this season.
Michigan now leads the all-time series 9-0. In the last two series games at the RAC, Rutgers suffered four-point losses (54-50, 1/20/15).
Postgame Quotes
Rutgers Head Coach Steve Pikiell
Opening Statement: "Thank you for coming. Appreciate it. It was a great environment today. I want to thank the students and the community for coming out and supporting. You guys saw, we play hard. We compete like crazy. Now we have to complete the games. We didn't do that today, but I'm proud of our guys. They're fighting. We played an outstanding team that's fighting for a NCAA at-large bid. They're well coached and Michigan was four points better today."
On what is preventing the team from winning: "You guys have to understand that this is a process. This is the best league in the country. I don't care what anyone says. Night in and night out from top to bottom, from the No. 1 team to No. 13, this league is really good. Look at the teams' records and look at the coaches that are coaching at these places. Our guys are fighting. Today, we didn't rebound which is something we usually do. But we made free throws and we didn't turn the ball over, so we improved in those areas. We played a team that can really shoot the ball. We have to keep fighting. Nothing's easy. Nothing's going to be easy or given to us in this league. Our players know that. They come every day and they have to fight. We're playing teams that are good basketball teams. We have to complete the deal, make that big stop, get a good whistle, maybe that would help us, too, and we also need to make some plays on the offensive end. So any one of those areas would help us a little bit down the stretch."
On the execution in the second half: "Great. Again, we executed the plays we wanted to. Corey [Sanders] got to the rim on a play I wanted. These guys fought. We got an open three at the end there. Corey tee'd it up. We have to tee it up to win it. These guys are doing a real good job and they've improved in that area tremendously from earlier in the season."
On stopping Michigan's three-point attempts: "They're so good at shooting the ball, it's crazy. They make free throws usually and they shoot three's. every guy on their team that steps on the court, they're unique in that way, every guy can shoot three's. I thought we did a good job. They pick on fives. Fives usually have a hard time guarding on the perimeter. I thought they did a good job. We subbed. I thought Shaq [Doorson] gave us good minutes today, especially on the defensive end of the floor. We were in tune. They knew the game plan. I told them after [Michigan] hit the first couple 'If you guys didn't know it, we've been talking about this for three days. That's what this team does'. They came out shooting the ball and we kind of settled into our defense. I thought we did a good job making it a little more difficult for them. I thought our press stalled them a little bit, too."
Michigan Head Coach John Beilein
Opening statement: "That was a great win. There are some games that you have to grind out and as time goes on, you find out those are some of the best you ever have. To get the eighth win in the conference and the 18th win overall. You can see that Steve (Pikiell) is doing a tremendous job at Rutgers. They fought us tooth and nail every minute and we just had enough. We had enough grit. There was nothing pretty about that one at all. Sometimes those games that could be ugly are beautiful wins. They are beautiful wins for our kids to fight through all that when it could have gone south down four. I am excited for Zak (Irvin), who came out great in the first half, Derrick (Walton Jr.) in the second half. We did just enough to win the game and we're excited about it."
On the team's resume: "We just talk about winning the next game. There is one game left on the schedule and obviously every road game is important. We've played teams that are tough to beat at home, we haven't had any teams that don't do a great job at home. So today was a great win to get it any way we can."
On 10-0 run the second half: "I think we are at a point right now where they have confidence in themselves that we can run our offense and defense, and make enough plays to win a game. There was a long way to go. During that time, we were scoring and we were stopping. Our defense, they shot 40 percent tonight. If you look at our trend the last five or six games, that's very positive, more of the norm. We had to do that today. And I think if (Mike) Williams doesn't get those six (offensive) rebounds, it's not close at that time. It is so odd to have a two-guard go crash. We are not using to boxing out (that position) and you can't flip that switch like that. He did a great job."
On winning on the road: "This will be four out of five. Look at the road teams we've played, we've played really good teams. Who goes to play UCLA and South Carolina on the road? Those are going to be our road games going into the conference. We've lost to Michigan State, Wisconsin on the road, those are pretty good teams. In the Big Ten, winning on the road is going to be hard. So teams might do that, but maybe they haven't won at home like we have. It was big for us to get another W, road, anything, get another W. We want to get to a point in the Big Ten where we're up in the higher spots. This league is way underrated right now for how it is going to do in March."
