PISCATAWAY – Rutgers (12-13, 5-10) was poised to earn the comeback victory over No. 21/17 Iowa (19-5, 8-5), but the Hawkeyes made a desperation three-pointer with 0.2 seconds on the clock to escape a sold-out RAC on Saturday evening with a 71-69 victory.
Eugene Omoruyi had his seventh double-double of the season and
Ron Harper Jr. scored a career-high 16 points for the Scarlet Knights, who limited UI to more than 10 points below its Big Ten-leading scoring average.
"We just couldn't catch a break there at the end," said Rutgers head coach
Steve Pikiell. "They hit a bank three at the buzzer. That's a tough way to lose. I love the way our team played. There are better days ahead for us. We're going to get one of these games."
Geo Baker put the Scarlet Knights ahead 69-68 with 3.3 seconds remaining. A deflected, inbounds pass down-court ended up in the hands of Hawkeye Joe Weiskamp, however, who banked in a three-pointer from the corner to capture the improbable win.
"That is a really good team we just beat," Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery said. "Steve's done a tremendous job building their program. The way I look at it, they can beat any team in the country on a given night. I'm proud of my guys that we were able to pull it out tonight."
Baker scored 13 points and dished-out six assists with six rebounds for the home squad, which was further boosted by
Myles Johnson. The freshman center posted 10 points on 4-of-4 shooting and collected six boards.
Rutgers raced out to a 9-2 lead. Iowa answered back with a run of its own to tie the game at 12-12.
Harper Jr. started hot from three-point range, as he drained his first three attempts to help push the Rutgers lead to 23-18. His fourth triple of the half provided the Scarlet Knights a 28-22 lead at the final media timeout of the half. The Hawkeyes countered with an 8-0 run to retake the lead at 30-28.
A Baker triple returned the advantage to RU, but Iowa converted a basket with 0.1 seconds remaining. Rutgers entered the locker room at the midpoint with a 33-32 edge.
After the break, the Scarlet Knights used a 9-3 run to take a 42-37 advantage. The Hawkeyes responded with a 9-0 burst to take a 54-49 lead with nine minutes to play. The home team wouldn't quit, and responded with an 8-2 run to retake the lead at 57-56 with six minutes to play.
The game remained tight down the stretch. RU trailed by four with 2:38 to play, then cut the deficit to one with 26.2 seconds remaining. With 13 seconds left, RU called timeout with possession. The improbable conclusion followed, and RU fell just short of earning its second victory against a ranked Big Ten foe this season.
"Rutgers nation has been great," said Pikiell. "The students, when they come out, the place was loud. It helped us a ton. The guys love it and feed off of it. I want to thank all of the people for coming out and supporting this team. This team deserves the support, too. They played really hard and will continue to."
Rutgers returns to the road to meet No. 11/12 Michigan State in a 6:30 p.m. tip-off on Wednesday. The game will be televised on BTN with Kevin Kugler and Jon Crispin calling the action.
Fans can secure single game tickets for the final two Rutgers home games online or by calling 866-445-GORU (4678). Additional information can obtained by visiting RutgersGameday.com.
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POSTGAME NOTES
- Tonight was the fourth sold out crowd at the RAC this season. After capacity crowds watched the Scarlet Knights battle No. 8 Michigan State on Nov. 30, Maryland on Jan. 5, and No. 7 Michigan on Feb. 5, it signals the first time in 14 years (2004-05, seven) that Rutgers has experienced four or more home sell-outs in a season.
- Iowa entered tonight's game leading the Big Ten and ranked 27th nationally in scoring offense (81.6). Rutgers held the Hawkeyes to more than 10 points below their average.
- Iowa entered tonight's game second in the Big Ten and 21st nationally in assists (16.3). Rutgers limited the Hawkeyes to 12 helpers.
- Ron Harper Jr. scored a career-high 16 points. It marked the freshman's seventh game in double digits this season.
- With 10 points and 11 rebounds, Eugene Omoruyi registered his seventh double-double of the season. He has scored in double figures 18 times this season and 28 times in his career. He has grabbed 10 or more boards in eight games this season.
- Geo Baker (13 points) reached double-figures in scoring for the 20th time this season and 40th time in his career. He also dished-out six assists, his 12th game this season and 16th of his career with five or more helpers. He had a career-high five steals, tying a Rutgers record for most in a Big Ten game.
- Myles Johnson scored 10 points his fourth double digit game this season and third against a Big Ten opponent.
- Omoruyi drew one charge and leads the team with 21 drawn charges this season.
- Iowa now holds a 6-1 advantage in the series that dates back to 1989.
- Rutgers' staff wore a special blue puzzle piece pin to support the Autism Speaks Foundation as part of NCAA Autism Awareness and Acceptance Weekend.
- Rutgers' starting lineup consisted of Geo Baker, Montez Mathis, Ron Harper Jr., Eugene Omoruyi and Shaquille Doorson. The Scarlet Knights have utilized six different starting lineups this season.
POSTGAME QUOTES
Rutgers Head Coach Steve Pikiell
Opening Statement: "Thank you guys for coming. It was a great environment and a great game. They were three seconds better, so you have to give them credit. They do a great job and they're a really good team. We just couldn't catch a break there at the end. They hit a bank three at the buzzer. That's a tough way to lose. I love the way our team played. There are better days ahead for us. We're going to get one of these games. Iowa did a great job and coach McCaffery does a great job."
On the play he called to take the lead in the final seconds: "Someone had to make a play. I didn't know if they were going to be in man or zone. They got the switch off and Geo did a great job of making a play at the end. I'm proud of him. I'm proud of our guys. They fought through a lot of adversity. They did an unbelievable job. We just couldn't get that last one."
On the last play of the game: "The ball just got scrambled and ended up in his hands and he banked the three from the straight corner. We were taking [Jordan] Bohannon away who makes every play for them down the stretch. The ball was tipped, and we have it on tape. We saw him bank it from the corner. It was a tough angle to bank a shot, but he got it and they won."
On the play of Ron Harper and the rest of the team: "He was great, Ron was, but I think all of our guys did a great job. Ron got us off to a great start and he's getting better and better and the team is getting better and better. We could use a break here and there to help us."
On the atmosphere at the RAC: "Rutgers nation has been great. The students, when they come out, the place was loud. It helped us a ton. The guys love it and feed off of it. I want to thank all of the people for coming out and supporting this team. This team deserves the support, too. They played really hard and will continue to."
Iowa Head Coach Fran McCaffery
On drawing up the final play: "The most important guy in that situation is the in-bounder. We have all four shooters on the court. It can be a catch and pass, or a tip. They aggressively attacked the back, which is what you want to do. Nicholas went to go get it, the clock started, and you have to have the presence of mind to catch and shoot at that point. If they were going to lose, they didn't want it to be Bohannon, and they guarded that."
What does the win say about the team: "This is a really good team we just beat.
Steve Pikiell has ton a fabulous job building this program. They came out ready, they jumped us and turned us over 10 times in the first half. So I'm proud of our guys for making a run at the end of the half. We had a chance at the end to get some more separation, and we needed. They made critical shots and stops. That's what Geo does. We thought he would be the one to shoot the ball. You don't want to foul him, but we had a 6-foot-9 guy contesting the shot. Give Geo credit. He nailed it."
On back-to-back wild wins: "It's rewarding as a coach to see your players be able to celebrate multiple times this year, in New York, tough road games at Penn State and Indiana. You're thrilled for your guys that we're staying together and connected. We've had some off games, but we still pull together to win. Anytime you win a game on the road in this league is amazing; it's so difficult."
On the Rutgers atmosphere: "What you're seeing is a fan base that understands what they're seeing. They've had some good players over the last couple years, and have played some good games. Now they have more good players, they have more size, depth on the wing, more talented guards. They can hurt you in a variety of ways. Steve did a terrific job establishing a physical style. The way I see it, they can beat anyone in the country. The fan base loves watching this team plays and appreciates what Steve has done. If you're a basketball fan, you enjoyed this game. No one disappointed in the effort if you're a Rutgers fan."
