CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Playing its third road game over four contests, Rutgers (12-12, 2-8) dropped a 91-60 decision to Illinois (12-11, 2-8) Tuesday evening at State Farm Center. Geo Baker, the second-leading scorer among Big Ten freshmen, paced RU with 19 points.

"Illinois plays really good defense on the guards," said Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell. "They jump passing lanes. They're among the national leaders in forced turnovers, and we were another victim to that. We're down a couple people. I thought Geo showed some good poise for some stretches. But they really took us out of our sets."

Baker was joined in double figures by Corey Sanders and Deshawn Freeman, who both contributed 10 points. Freeman, who fouled out with 10:27 remaining, compiled his total in 18 minutes of action.

Illinois benefited from its 57 percent (33-of-58) shooting, including an 11-of-27 (41 percent) performance from behind the arc. Kipper Nichols had 19 points to lead five Illini players in double figures.

"Illinois had one of those nights," said Pikiell. "That's not typically what they'll do, make threes. But they seemed to make every one tonight. Even with the shot clock running down. So give them credit. They've been creating a lot of turnovers. And we couldn't get easy baskets. They're going to beat a lot of teams if they play like that."

The Scarlet Knights entered the contest ranked 17^th nationally in turnover margin (3.9), but committed a season-high 25 miscues. As a result, the Illini benefited 37-16 in points-off-turnovers.

Out of the gates, Baker was hot from long range, as he drilled two early triples for an 8-5 lead. The home team responded with an 8-0 run, as Rutgers experienced a six minute scoring drought.

The Scarlet Knights earned the game's next four points from the free throw line, but the team's field goal drought stretched over nine minutes, as Illinois used a 19-4 run to build its lead into double-digits at 32-16.

Competing without senior captain Mike Williams, who is sidelined indefinitely due to a lower leg injury sustained in practice on Jan. 13, the Rutgers roster suffered further depletion when Eugene Omoroyi went down with a leg injury with 4:09 remaining in the first half.

Illinois entered the locker room at the midpoint with a 41-22 advantage. The home team shot 50 percent, including 7-of-18 from behind the three-point line.  

The Illini made its first five shots after the break to spur a 12-2 run and a 30-point lead. RU was unable to threaten in the second half, as Illinois, playing its third straight home game, completed its second consecutive victory.

Rutgers returns home to host No. 3/3 Purdue in a 4 p.m. tip-off on Saturday at the RAC. The game, which will be televised on BTN, is sold out to the general public. It marks the second home sellout this season for the Scarlet Knights, after drawing 8,318 fans to the RAC on Dec. 16 to witness the 71-65 defeat of No. 15 Seton Hall in the annual Garden State Hardwood Classic.

Single game tickets for Rutgers men's basketball home games are available online or by calling the Rutgers Ticket Office at 1-866-445-GORU.

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Postgame Notes

• Geo Baker scored 19 points, reaching double figures for the 16^th time this season. It was the freshman's most ever points against a Big Ten team. It ties his second-highest career scoring output.
• Deshawn Freeman scored 10 points, reaching double figures for the 19th time this season and 43^rd time in his career.
• Corey Sanders scored 10 points, reaching double figures for the 18th time this season and 62nd time in his career.
• Matt Bullock had a career-high eight points.
• Illinois now leads the all-time series 5-1.