NEW YORK, N.Y. –  Corey Sanders scored 28 points, while both Deshawn Freeman and Geo Baker contributed 15, to help No. 14 seeded Rutgers (15-18) overcome a 16-point deficit to defeat No. 6-seed Indiana (16-15) 76-69 Thursday night at Madison Square Garden in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament presented by SoFi. The Scarlet Knights have won two conference tournament games for the first time since 1998 and advance to play No. 8-ranked and No. 3 seed Purdue (26-5) Friday evening at approximately 9 p.m.

"These games are not easy," said Rutgers Head Coach Steve Pikiell. "Any of them you're going to be up sometimes and down sometimes. Go through scoring droughts and defensive droughts. You just continue to stay the course.  They did tonight.  I'm really proud.  Once we got the lead we did a really good job of keeping it."

The Scarlet Knights shot 58.0 percent (29-of-50), while limiting the Hoosiers to a 35.8 percentage (19-of-53) from the field. Sanders shot 12-of-20, Freeman 7-of-12, Eugene Omoruyi 4-of-7 and Baker 4-of-8.

"Corey was terrific again," said Pikiell. "I think he has something to prove here.  He's a good, really good player, and I think this is a great venue for him to showcase that."

The Hoosiers imposed their will early to establish 17-3 and 24-8 advantages, as the RU offense struggled to find a rhythm. Sanders was off the mark on his initial four shots and Rutgers had more turnovers than field goals at the under-eight media timeout.

Faced with the significant deficit, the Scarlet Knights responded in definitive fashion. Rutgers closed the half on a 17-2 run, which included 10 points from Sanders, to enter the locker room at the midpoint with a 29-28 lead. Freeman had 11 points and six rebounds in the first 20 minutes.

After the break, RU maintained its advantage courtesy of its aggressive defense, but the Hoosiers remained within striking distance. Indiana tied the contest at 46-46, before an old fashioned three-point play by Omoruyi pushed RU ahead.

The Scarlet Knights always had an answer. Ahead 51-50 with under seven minutes to play, Rutgers went on a five point run, capped by a Baker three-pointer, and IU would get no closer than three points for the remainder.

Rutgers made seven of eight free throws in the final minute to ensure the program's first victory in seven meetings with the five-time national champion Hoosiers.

"We kind of just hung around and toughed it out," said Pikiell. "It was an exciting game. Rutgers Nation got excited, made it loud and proud."

Follow Rutgers men's basketball on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersMBB), Twitter (www.twitter.com/RutgersMBB) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/RutgersMBB) for additional news and updates.

Postgame Notes

• The last time Rutgers made it to the third round/third day of a conference tournament was 1998, when it was a No. 12 seed in the Big East Championship at Madison Square Garden.
• It marks the first time that a No. 14 seed has reached the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament.
• Rutgers is now 3-3 all-time in the Big Ten Tournament and has reached the quarterfinals for the first time.
• The Scarlet Knights' 58.0 field goal percentage is its best against a conference opponent since joining the Big Ten in 2014-15.
• Corey Sanders scored in double-digits for the 25th time this season and 69th time in his career. It was Sanders eighth game this season and 19th contest of his career with at least 20 points. 
• Sanders' 28 points were the most for a Rutgers player in a post-season game since Quincy Douby had 30 in an NIT game at St. Joseph's on March 16, 2006.
• Deshawn Freeman scored in double-digits for the 25th time this season and 49th time in his career.
• Geo Baker scored in double figures for the 19th time this season.
• The Scarlet Knights are now 47-55 at the current (since Feb. 1968) Madison Square Garden. Overall at MSG since 1949, Rutgers is 53-57. Under Steve Pikiell, RU is 3-1 at the "Mecca of College Basketball."
• Pikiell now has a 17-11 record in conference tournament action as a head coach over the last 12 seasons, including 11 at Stony Brook. He is 3-1 in the Big Ten Tournament.