PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Freshman Montez Mathis scored a career-high 20 points and fellow rookie Myles Johnson registered a double-double to help Rutgers (9-9, 2-6) defeat rv/rv Nebraska (13-6, 3-5) 76-69 Monday evening at the RAC. After committing 13 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes, their most in a half this season, the Scarlet Knights had just two after the break to overcome an early 13-point deficit and earn the victory.

"We adjusted in the second half and did a really good job," said Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell. "When they threw different looks at us, we did a really good job of attacking and executing. These guys are getting better. You saw Myles come into his own today. He's going to be a real good player for us. But we got contributions from everybody. That's what we needed tonight to win the game against a really good Nebraska team."

Mathis was 7-of-16 from the field and grabbed nine rebounds to fall just shy of a double-double. Johnson was 6-of-8 shooting to score 13 points along with 11 rebounds and four assists. Geo Baker was 3-of-4 from behind the arc to post 16 points and provide the home squad three players in double digits.

Team co-captain Eugene Omoruyi, who was sidelined for the last three games due to a left leg injury, returned to action at the 14:59 mark of the first half. The junior last played in the opening half versus No. 16 Ohio State at the RAC on Jan. 9. Omoruyi scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds in 25 minutes.

"I think he epitomizes what coach Pikiell is about," said Nebraska head coach Tim Miles. "Toughness, playing through pain and finding a way to come out and help his team when he's not 100 percent."

Rutgers made 17 made free throws, its most in a Big Ten game this season, and out-rebounded the Huskers by 44-34 margin. The discrepancy helped the Scarlet Knights out-score Nebraska 42-24 in the paint and establish a 17-7 advantage in second chance points.

Nebraska started the game cold from the field (1-of-7), but recovered with a 9-0 run to take a 10-4 lead. Rutgers answered right back with an 8-0 burst to push ahead 12-10.

The Huskers extended their lead into double-digits at 31-18 via a 19-4 run with five minutes remaining in the opening half. The Scarlet Knights responded with a 15-0 run over just three minutes to go back in front. Shaq Carter had a slam dunk to tie the game at 31-31, then a quick transition basket from Mathis put the home team in front.

Nebraska hit a buzzer-beating desperation three-pointer as the half concluded. At the midpoint, the Huskers led 38-33.

Rutgers fought back early in the second half, tying the game at 45-45 after five minutes of action. Baker knocked down a three-pointer to give the home team a 50-47 lead at the under-12 media timeout.

The Scarlet Knights used a 7-0 run to open up a 59-53 lead. A three-pointer from Peter Kiss provided RU a 62-56 advantage with six minutes to play. Consecutive baskets from Johnson gave RU a 66-59 advantage with 4:15 on the clock.

A three-pointer from Nebraska leading scorer James Palmer brought the Cornhuskers back within 67-65 and forced a Rutgers' timeout with 2:48 remaining.

The game was tied at 67-67 when Johnson put Rutgers back in front with a layup at the 1:38 mark. The Scarlet Knights never trailed again, finishing off the seven-point victory against a squad that has been nationally-ranked seven weeks this season.

Rutgers returns to the rugged road of the Big Ten to meet Penn State in a 4:30 p.m. tip-off on Saturday at the Bryce Jordan Center. The contest will be televised on BTN with Brandon Gaudin and Shon Morris 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.

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 

• Myles Johnson notched his second career double-double with 13 points – tying a career high – and a career-high 11 rebounds. He scored eight of Rutgers' final 14 points over the final five minutes of the game, while competing with four fouls. The freshman also had a career and team-high four assists.
• Team co-captain Eugene Omoruyi, who was sidelined for the last three games due to a left leg injury, returned to action at the 14:59 mark of the first half and contributed eight points and six rebounds in 25 minutes. The junior last played in the opening half versus No. 16 Ohio State at the RAC on Jan. 9.
• Montez Mathis scored a career-high 20 points, reaching double figures for the seventh time this season and fifth time in the past six games. He surpassed his previous high of 19 at Purdue. He also grabbed a career-high nine rebounds.
• Since joining the starting lineup 10 games ago, the Mathis has shot .465 percent (40-of-86) and has scored 15 points-per-game over his last six contests.
• Geo Baker scored 16 points, reaching double figures for the 15th time this season and 35th time in his career.
• Ron Harper Jr. tied a career-high with seven rebounds.
• It was Rutgers' most points in a Big Ten Conference game this season (76), passing the 70 scored at Minnesota.
• RU's 17 made free throws signaled its most in a Big Ten game this season.
• After committing a season-high 13 turnovers in an opening half, Rutgers only committed two in the second half.
• Nebraska now leads the all-time series 7-4.
• Rutgers used a starting lineup of Geo Baker, Montez Mathis, Ron Harper Jr., Shaq Carter and Shaquille Doorson for the fourth consecutive game. The Scarlet Knights have utilized six different starting lineups this season.
• The Cornhuskers represented Rutgers' fourth of seven Big Ten opponents either ranked or receiving votes over a nine-game stretch.

POSTGAME QUOTES
 
Rutgers Head Coach Steve Pikiell
 
Opening Statement: "I appreciate everyone coming, especially with a late night tonight and minus five degrees outside. I want to congratulate our crow,d which was awesome. Our students, even though class doesn't start until tomorrow, were loud. The band and everything, I thought it was a great environment and made the RAC a tough place to play. I'm proud of these guys. We played a terrific basketball team. On both ends of the floor, they're one of the best defensive teams in the league and they have some explosive offensive players and Coach Tim [Miles] does a great job. It was a great team win for us, so I'm really pleased."
 
On getting Eugene Omoruyi back: "I didn't know Eugene was going to be playing today, but it was nice to have him. He's a veteran guy. Obviously you see what he brings on many levels defensively, offensively, rebounding. He allows us to do a lot of different things versatility wise. To be quite honest, this is a six week injury. He rehabbed relentlessly to get back. Again, before the game today, I didn't know I would have him and he said 'coach, I'm ready to go'. Then I didn't expect to play him that many minutes, I just wanted to get him up and down a little bit and get him back into his feel for the game, but he did a really good job. It's hard to take him out."
 
On the win: "It was a great team win. Geo [Baker] was great in the second half. He turned the ball over twice in the first half. Obviously, we had turnover problems. We adjusted in the second half and did a really good job. When they threw different looks at us, we did a really good job of attacking and executing. These guys are getting better. You saw Myles [Johnson] come into his own today. He's going to be a real good player for us. But we got contributions from everybody. That's what we needed tonight to win the game against a really good Nebraska team."
 
On his team growing up: "Yeah, I think they did and they finished the game tonight. We had some runs and chances the other night and they made two big three's down the stretch. This time, we made free throws, we made some big plays and I think these young guys are getting better and better. I like when Geo takes charge. He was running some plays down the stretch and says 'coach, I got this one, coach I got that one' and then I like in the huddle when Montez [Mathis] says to me 'coach, he can't guard me'. I like that feedback and you can tell they're growing in their basketball and growing in their effort.
 
On keeping Nebraska out of the lane: Again, with team defense. These guys did a real good job. I thought we did a good job on [James] Palmer. He's one of the leading scorers. I know he scored 22, but I think we did a good job with keeping him out of the lane because he's explosive. [Glynn] Watson is explosive, [Isaiah] Roby is explosive, [Isaac] Copeland is a problem and they have some really good offensive players. [Thomas] Allen is a good player too and will be their leading scorer next year when those seniors leave. We did a great job team wise and I think when we started taking care of the ball that really helped our defense too. 
 
On the 15-0 run in the first half: It's a game of runs and we've been down like that before. We just needed to hang in there and stop turning the ball over. That was our episode when we were really turning the ball over to give them that type of lead. These guys hand tough and they believe in each other. Our defense is getting better, too. I think that's part of it but I thought our offense was good. We got to the free-throw line and we didn't take as many three's. I thought we were in a really good place and if we could have done a better job of not turning the ball over, we could have been in a better place offensively. 
 
Nebraska Head Coach Tim Miles
 
On frustration: "I think that when you look at our general sloppiness. We had probably 11 turnovers in the first 23 minutes of the game and we're not a team that turns it over a great deal. We ended up cleaning it up a little bit later. You look at the little things where we missed layups early. There was a play when two guys with the rebound and we drop it and it goes back to Rutgers. Rutgers played very hard. Coach (Steve) Pikiell does an excellent job and they fight you and they scrap and they made plays. I just question our mindset, but I also credit Rutgers."
 
On mindset: "We go 10-for-18 on free throws. Free throws are about mental toughness in my mind. It's a closed skill. It's about preparation, it's about a routine. It's not a competitive deal up there, you're just standing there. And so when guys usually shoot better than that aren't making them, that says something about mindset to me. Missed layups, we missed easy layups and it's a plethora of guys. Those things are a mindset to me."
 
On giving up the lead: "One thing is we challenged our bench to come in and help us. They made a couple of defensive errors. And our bench didn't do a lot tonight. You look at the bench points and I thought that was a critical part of the game, not that I expected to be there, but to go 31-6, not good enough. Second of all, we turned it over. We just shot ourselves in the foot and allowed Rutgers, really, where we were in a good spot, maybe take control, right back into the game. Same thing happened in the second half. I think we went up eight and I believe Geo (Baker) hit a three in the corner at the end of the shot clock, Glynn (Watson Jr.) is right there on him, and then we throw it right back to him and he runs down and shoots a layup. A careless turnover and now, all of a sudden, the good work you've done for the first six possessions is gone. I think we turned it over the following possession too. So it is just the little things. I think we weren't able to build on anything. I think we missed three or four one-and-ones, so every time we had a chance to build on a lead, we didn't. That's how you lose. That's a recipe for losing."
 
On Montez Mathis: "I think he did just fine. So apparently my game plan doesn't matter. He's a big, strong guard and I didn't love our matchup on him. I thought he found us in different ways. He drove it, got fouled, got on the offensive glass. He's an impressive young (player). Those two freshmen, we recruited Ron Harper too, so those three freshmen are impressive. I thought Myles Johnson was excellent too."
 
On Eugene Omoruyi: "I think he epitomizes what coach Pikiell is about. Toughness, playing through pain and finding a way to come out and help his team when he's not 100 percent."