Rutgers University
1-0,0-0Big Ten
Lehigh
0-1,0-0Patriot
Rutgers Outlasts Lehigh 73-70 in Season-Opening OT Thriller at Jersey Mike’s Arena
Nov 10 | Men's Basketball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The Rutgers men’s basketball team fed off the energy of the fans on Wednesday night in the season-opener at Jersey Mike’s Arena against Lehigh.
The Scarlet Knights defeated Lehigh 73-70 in an overtime thriller in front of a sellout crowd that hadn’t seen a Rutgers home game in person in 618 days.
Point guard Geo Baker hit a game-tying shot with 45 seconds left in regulation to nod the score at 63 sending the game to an extended period.
The Scarlet Knights outscored the Mountain Hawks 10-7 in overtime and capped off the victory on an alley-oop dunk by leading-scorer center Clifford Omoruyi.
Ron Harper Jr. led the team with a double-double performance, where he scored 14 points and had 10 rebounds. Omoruyi had 16 points and nine rebounds on the game.
The Scarlet Knights were able to crawl back into the game with 13 offensive rebounds on the night.
Press Conference:
Quotes from head Coach Steve Pikiell:
On Lehigh:
“Credit to Lehigh, they’ve been to numerous times NCAA Tournaments, so I knew it would be a tough game. I love the fact that we grinded the game out. We missed shots, we had layups that could of finished the game off. We kind of figured out a way. I liked that a lot of people contributed. Ron got a double-double, Cliff got nine rebounds. I like this group a ton. We found out before the game Mawot Mag couldn't play, dealing with surgery in his mouth. A lot of obstacles we hit today, getting through it was a good thing. And I love the fact that we grind it and grind it.
On the offense: “I'll watch the tapes, but I do think we got some really good looks. Including Andre dunk at the end there, that was a good look. I thought we had guys that were open. I thought Geo got some good three looks, Paul in the lane. I thought we had some good looks and we're going to have to make those. I liked that we still figured it out, figured out a way to win a basketball game early in the season.”
On the turnovers: “11 turnovers, I'm not really worried about that. It's not a bad number at all. I thought we were a little off our game. We were a little antsy to steal the basketball. That's not how we play defense. I thought we settled down in the second half and did a much better job of keeping the ball in front of us and I think we will be more connected and you get steals because we're in our right places. Liked how we settled down but again, you know, that's a team that returns their six leading returning scores, so got to give them a little credit. That's a veteran basketball team who's going to do a good job. That’s a game that’s going to mean something at the end of the year.”
On the game: “We didn't finish up plays the way we need to, but yeah, they're a veteran team. They spread us out, , they drove it on us. They did a good job on the battles. They got some good size. I think early in the year if you see teams play, teams that have experience and teams early in the season, can do things that some younger teams can't. I thought that they did a really good job with that. And you're also preparing for game you have no video except from last year. So, it's really a challenge early in the year. I'm a prep guy, and when you can't see them play all, you're guessing what they did last year was what they're going to kind of do and they changed up some stuff so tip of the cap to them. But I really like this team. I’m excited that we’re 1-0. That was our goal before the game. We grinded, and we’ll watch film and do what we do.”
On the crowd: “The energy that the crowd brings is great. Keep in mind, we were 18-1 the last time we had fans at this court. So to have fans back means a ton. I know the energy before the game was great. Maybe we were a little caught up in some of that stuff and we'll settle in. But it certainly helped us in all phases today.”
On Clifford Omoruyi: “We’re in good hands at the five spot. I love this guy. He's as good of worker as we've ever had in the program. He's getting better and better every day. One point away from a double-double. Really, really excited about, you know, his development and how he's a great teammate.”
Photo Gallery:
Gallery: Rutgers MBB vs. Michigan
Highlights:
.@caleb_mcco got the crowd ROCKING early with this and-one @jerseymikes Arena!#GardenStatement?? pic.twitter.com/8Dw64to9fM
— Rutgers Basketball ?? (@RutgersMBB) November 11, 2021
Aundre Hyatt says NOT TODAY in his first game with the Scarlet Knights!#GardenStatement????? pic.twitter.com/c0WxohBvQL
— Rutgers Basketball ?? (@RutgersMBB) November 11, 2021
Let's get rolling in the second half. Ron Harper Jr. with the steal and Geo Baker finishes it off with the three ball!?????
— Rutgers Basketball ?? (@RutgersMBB) November 11, 2021
(B1G+)#GardenStatement pic.twitter.com/Ql290G5QI8
Big Cliff is not backing down in the paint??????
— Rutgers Basketball ?? (@RutgersMBB) November 11, 2021
(B1G+)#GardenStatement pic.twitter.com/moeHq7al3X
Ralph to Ron for the ALLEY-OOP?????
— Rutgers Basketball ?? (@RutgersMBB) November 11, 2021
(B1G+)#GardenStatement pic.twitter.com/FOX1uoQL22
Geo comes up in the clutch and ties it up 63-63!
— Rutgers Basketball ?? (@RutgersMBB) November 11, 2021
We're headed to OT! #GardenStatement
(B1G+) pic.twitter.com/b7hhUUYeY7
Big Cliff puts some icing on it!#GardenStatement pic.twitter.com/qHWsqAsB4Z
— Rutgers Basketball ?? (@RutgersMBB) November 11, 2021
Top Tweets:
Rutgers raised a banner 20 minutes before tipoff and honored the 2020-21 team that won a NCAA Tournament game against Clemson for the first time since 1983. Check out the moment below:
Special moment pregame @jerseymikes Arena as we unveiled the banner honoring our 2020-21 Tournament victory over Clemson, the first for @RutgersMBB since 1983!#GardenStatement pic.twitter.com/iyHhMcrzk7
— Rutgers Basketball ?? (@RutgersMBB) November 10, 2021
Harper Jr. was given the game ball a few seconds before tipoff for scoring his 1000th point for Rutgers last season during the Big Ten Tournament:
Here it is! Ron Harper Jr.’s @__RHJR Game Ball recognizing his 1,000 career points for @RutgersMBB! pic.twitter.com/HfLD6teSM7
— Chris Corso (@CACorso) November 11, 2021
New Content Series 188' Feet with Paul Mulcahy:
