CHICAGO – Eugene Omoruyi scored 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting and Myles Johnson had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, but 12th-seeded Rutgers (14-17) dropped a 68-61 decision to No. 13 Nebraska (17-15) Wednesday evening at the United Center. The Scarlet Knights committed a season-high 22 miscues to enable the Huskers to benefit 24-9 in points-off-turnovers in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament.

"We've done a decent job, especially recently, of not turning the ball over," said Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell. "We were a turnover team early in the year. Today it was a little out of the ordinary. I'm very surprised at that number. But the turnovers never let us get into any kind of flow offensively, and everybody was in foul trouble."

RU committed 25 fouls, resulting in 32 Husker free throws, and enabling a 23-9 scoring disparity at the charity stripe. A season-high three Scarlet Knights fouled-out of the contest.

Rutgers led for 32:40 of the game's 40 minutes, but was undone by a late Nebraska run. The Scarlet Knights established the advantage in rebounds (36-23), bench points (27-7) and shooting percentage (49.0% to 40.4%) in the defeat.

RU started well, making five-of-seven, while Nebraska shot 2-of-10, to build a 12-4 advantage. Omoruyi had the hot hand early, scoring 10 points in his first 11 minutes, propelling the Scarlet Knights to a 19-14 lead.

Nebraska countered, using a 9-0 run to take its initial lead at 23-21. The teams exchanged baskets down the stretch, and the Huskers held a slim 26-25 edge at the midpoint.

The Scarlet Knights started the second half with a 5-0 burst, as Ron Harper Jr. drained the team's first three-pointer. A dunk from Johnson extended that run to 9-1 and enabled a seven-point Scarlet Knights' lead.

Halfway through the stanza, a three-pointer from Caleb McConnell gave Rutgers a 45-40 advantage. In that stretch, Rutgers made seven of nine from the field.

Johnson's second dunk of the frame provided Rutgers a 51-46 lead with seven minutes to play. Nebraska continued to counterpunch, however, and with four minutes remaining, tied the game at 51-51.

The Huskers used a 15-0 run to build a 61-51 advantage with 1:30 to play. The Scarlet Knights had a late push, but were unable to overcome the deficit.

"To make the strides that we've made, I feel good about that," said Pikiell. "Doesn't help me today, but when we look back on it, a lot of good things were accomplished. I'm proud of our guys, and our young guys grew up a lot."

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Postgame Notes

• Eugene Omoruyi had 16 points. It was his 22nd time this season in double-figures and 32nd in his career.
• It was Omoruyi's first time scoring in double-figures in a Big Ten Tournament game.
• Omoruyi had five assists, his third game this season with at least five helpers.
• Myles Johnson scored 11 points, his sixth time this season reaching double-figures.
• He added 11 rebounds, his fourth time this season in double-digits.
• It was Johnson's fourth double-double of the season. He recorded a double-double in both contests versus Nebraska this season, previously notching 13 points and 11 rebounds in Rutgers' win over The Huskers on Jan. 21.
• Johnson led the team in rebounding for the eighth time this season.
• Rutgers outscored Nebraska 27-7 in bench points. The Scarlet Knights have scored 194 more bench points than opponents this season.
• Rutgers is now 2-1 in Big Ten Tournament opening round games under head coach Steve Pikiell.