MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Rutgers (8-7, 1-4) out-rebounded rv/rv Minnesota (13-3, 3-2) and out-scored the hosts in the paint, but could not overcome the Gophers' success in transition and at the free throw line in an 88-70 loss on Saturday at Williams Arena. Freshmen center Myles Johnson scored a career-high 13 points and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds in the Scarlet Knights' second of seven games against foes either ranked or receiving votes over nine contests.

"I give credit to Minnesota, said Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell. "I thought their two big strengths were getting to the free throw line and in transition. We didn't do a good enough job taking away either. We tried to hang around and we did at times, but the game just got away from us."

Rutgers drew to within five points (54-49) with 13 minutes remaining, but RU was unable to recover from a seven point run by Minnesota that extended its advantage to double digits.

The Gophers benefited from 10 three-pointers and a 16-6 disparity in points-off-turnovers. Amir Coffey, the conference's leading scorer in Big Ten games, posted a game-high 29 points.

Geo Baker also scored 13 points to join Johnson in double digits for the Scarlet Knights, who were playing without leading scorer and rebounder Eugene Omoruyi and big man Mamadou Doucoure due to injuries. Rutgers was further hampered after freshman Caleb McConnell, who scored nine points in 11 minutes, was sidelined in the opening half.

"We're down a lot of players," said Pikiell. "You still have to take away the strengths of the other team. Eugene's our leading scorer and our leading rebounder and leading charge-taking guy in the league. Obviously we'll have to learn how to play without him, and Caleb and Mamadou, too. We have a lot of guys out, but those are the obstacles we have ahead of us."

Baker started Rutgers' offense off by swishing a three-pointer from the top of the key, but the Gophers used a 10-2 run to establish an early 13-5 lead. RU made seven-of-nine field goals in a stretch to cut its deficit to one at 17-16.

Minnesota countered with a 10-2 run behind four straight makes to extend its lead to 27-18. The Scarlet Knights countered with an 8-1 run, getting it back to a one-possession game.

In an opening stanza where both teams exchanged runs, the Gophers used an 11-4 burst down the stretch. At the midpoint, the home team held a 39-32 advantage. 

Rutgers began the second half hot, making 8-of-12 shots to open the frame and force a Minnesota timeout. After regrouping, the Gophers pushed their lead into double-figures for the first time at 59-49 with 11 minutes to play.

A 14-1 Minnesota run extended that lead to 77-57 with 5:32 to play, and the Gophers held on from there.

Rutgers remains on the road to meet rv/rv Purdue in a 7 p.m. tip-off on Tuesday night. The contest will air live nationwide on BTN with Dave Revsine and Robbie Hummel on the call.

"The league is as good as it has ever been," said Pikiell. "We'll keep plugging. We're young and we're injured right now. We'll keep plugging through. It's a tough league, but we've shown we're capable of beating anybody."

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POSTGAME NOTES 

• Myles Johnson scored 13 points, a new career-high. It was his second time scoring in double-figures and first occasion against a Big Ten opponent
• It was his first time leading the team in scoring and third time leading the team in rebounding.
• Geo Baker scored 13 points, reaching in double figures for the 12^th time this season and 32^nd time in his career.
• Minnesota entered the contest second in the Big Ten in offensive rebounds (13.8 per game) and collected just eight offensive boards.
• Minnesota now leads the all-time series 8-2.
• Five of Rutgers' next seven games are versus opponents ranked or receiving votes in the polls.
• Rutgers used a starting lineup of Geo Baker, Montez Mathis, Ron Harper Jr., Shaq Carter and Shaquille Doorson for its sixth different starting lineup this season. It signaled Carter's first career start.

POSTGAME QUOTES

Head Coach Steve Pikiell

Opening Statement: "I give credit to Minnesota. I thought their two big strengths were getting to the free throw line and in transition. We didn't do a good enough job taking away either. We tried to hang around and we did at times, but the game just go away from us."

On Minnesota: "That's a well-rounded basketball team with a lot of good players. They played to their strengths and we certainly didn't take it away from them."

On battling through injuries: "We have Eugene Omoruyi and Mamadou Doucoure out. Caleb McConnell went down today. We're down a lot of players. You still have to take away the strengths of the other team. Eugene's our leading scorer and our leading rebounder and leading charge-taking guy in the league. Obviously we'll have to learn how to play without him and Caleb and Mamadou too. We have a lot of guys out, but those are the obstacles we have ahead of us."

On moving forward: "It's hard to win on the road. This Minnesota team is top-25 caliber good, and so is Purdue who we play next. The league is as good as it has ever been. We'll keep plugging. We're young and we're injured right now. We'll keep plugging through. It's a tough league, but we've shown we're capable of beating anybody. We beat Ohio State the other night and I think they're clearly one of the top teams in the league. We have to play better though."