CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Rutgers (5-1) earned its third straight victory, defeating Miami (5-2) 57-54 at the Watsco Center Wednesday night in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. It marked the lowest scoring output for the Hurricanes since No. 1 Virginia held UM to 50 points on Feb. 13 of last season.
 
"When you travel on the road, you have to bring toughness on the defensive end," said Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell. "We showed some real signs of that tonight. We're a young team but we're figuring out an identity. To hold them to 54 means our guys were locked in and focus. That's a good sign for us."
 
Geo Baker led the way with a game-high 16 points, while collecting seven rebounds and six assists. Peter Kiss added 12 points, with Eugene Omoruyi posting 11. Shaquille Doorson had a team-high 10 rebounds.
 
Rutgers shot 41 percent, while holding the Hurricanes to a 34 percent mark. The Scarlet Knights benefited from eight blocks and eight steals in another stout defensive effort. 
 
"We just figured out a way to grind out a game against a really good team," said Pikiell. "I'm very thankful. We had good contributions from our whole team."
 
The home team pulled out to an early 13-4 lead, but Rutgers answered with an 11-0 run, spurred by a put-back slam dunk from Ron Harper, Jr. and 3-pointer from Issa Thiam to enable its initial lead, 15-13.
 
After the Hurricanes hot start, the RU defense locked in. Miami made just five of its next 22 shots.
 
Kiss sparked the visitors with a five-point sequence, with a three pointer followed by a fast break layup courtesy of a steal, and Miami was forced to call timeout trailing 28-22. RU finished the opening half on a 24-9 run, taking a four-point lead into the locker room at the midpoint.
 
Rutgers opened the second half with the two baskets, but UM answered with an 8-0 burst to tie the game at 32-32. The teams traded runs, with RU tying the game at 37 on a Baker three, then evening it again on a long-range make from Kiss for a 44-44 tie with eight minutes to play.
 
Heading into the final media timeout, Rutgers led 52-50. Omoruyi extended the lead to five with a clutch 3-pointer.
 
Miami cut its deficit to 55-54, but could not convert on the offensive end. Thiam made two free throws to give the visitors a 57-54 lead. Rutgers defense held strong on the final possession, with Baker swatting away a final chance to secure the road victory.
 
"We showed our toughness and grit tonight," said Baker. "We really had to get this road win, it feels really great. We said in the huddle, we can't let them score. We buckled down at the end. We're a really unselfish team and everyone plays their role and does their part. I think we were really focused and locked in and that helped us down the stretch."

Rutgers returns to the hardwood on Friday to host 9/8 Michigan State in a 6 p.m. tip-off. The contest versus the Spartans is sold out to the general public. It marks the first November sell-out at the RAC for men's basketball since the Scarlet Knights hosted Princeton before 8,524 fans on Nov. 22, 1997. The match-up will be televised live nationally on BTN with Kevin Kugler and Jon Crispin on the call.

Fans can secure single game tickets for the remaining home games, as well as flex ticket plans, online or by calling 866-445-GORU (4678). Additional information can obtained by visiting RutgersGameday.com. 
 


Postgame Notes

• Geo Baker finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists. He reached double-figures for the fifth time this season and 25^th time in his career. Baker had his fifth game this season and ninth game in his career with at least five assists.
• Baker, who entered the game ranked 3^rd in the Big Ten in minutes played (33.8), competed a game and career-high 39 minutes.
• Peter Kiss finished with 12 points, reaching double-figures for the fourth time this season and 25^th time in his collegiate career. He had a season-high three steals
• Eugene Omoruyi reached double-figure scoring for the fifth time this year and 16^th time in his career.
• Shaquille Doorson reached double-digit rebounds for the second straight game, collecting 10 and leading the team for the first time this season and third time in his career.
• This was Rutgers' first true road win since Feb. 4, 2017, a 70-68 win at Penn State. 
• Miami's leading scorer Chris Lykes entered the contest with at least 17 points in each of the team's first six game. Rutgers held him to a season-low eight points. 
• The Hurricanes were receiving votes in both polls. Seventeen of Rutgers' 30 regular season games (57%) are against opponents currently ranked or receiving votes. UM was the first of three games over six days for RU against foes ranked or receiving votes, including two on the road.
• The contest signaled the 16th meeting between the Scarlet Knights and Hurricanes dating back to 1989 with UM holding a 10-6 advantage.
• The Scarlet Knights are 2-3 in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge and 2-1 on road in the event.
• Rutgers is 16-3 in the month of November under Steve Pikiell. 
• Rutgers starting lineup consisted of Geo Baker, Peter Kiss, Issa Thiam, Eugene Omoruyi and Shaquille Doorson for the sixth time in as many games.

Postgame Quotes
 
Rutgers Head Coach Steve Pikiell
 
Opening Statement: "To come on the road and play a team I have tremendous respect for in Miami, Coach Larranaga and the job he does, a tough place to win, they've won 19 in a row here non-conference, we just figured out a way to grind out a game against a really good team. I'm very thankful. We had good contributions from our whole team. Now we have to great ready for the next one in Michigan State Friday."
 
On the defense: "When you travel on the road, you have to bring toughness on the defensive end. We showed some real signs of that tonight. We're a young team but we're figuring out an identity. To hold them to 54 means our guys were locked in and focus. That's a good sign for us."
 
On Geo Baker: "He does a lot of things for us. He had that huge block at the end, which really helped us. He's a good player and he's getting better. He plays with a little chip on his shoulder. He played with composure and did a good job leading us tonight."
 
Rutgers Sophomore Guard Geo Baker 
 
"We showed our toughness and grit tonight. We really had to get this road win, it feels really great. We said in the huddle, we can't let them score. We buckled down at the end. We're a really unselfish team and everyone plays their role and does their part. I think we were really focused and locked in and that helped us down the stretch."