Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Bryce Jordan Arena
TV: Big Ten Network (PXP: Brandon Guadin, Color: Rapheal Davis)
Radio: Rutgers Sports Properties Radio Network (WCTC 1450 AM/WOR 710 AM; PXP: Jerry Recco and Color: Austin Johnson)
WRSU 88.7 FM RU Student Radio

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Scarlet Knights are back on the road for the first time since December 12 when the team takes on the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryce Jordan Arena on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

The Scarlet Knights scored the most points in a Big Ten Conference regulation game in school history in a 93-65 victory over Nebraska on Saturday. After trailing 14-10 early in the first half, Rutgers responded with a 15-2 run to take a 25-16 lead and never trailed again, en route to a 93-65 victory.

Rutgers shot 58.3% from the field, its best mark ever in a Big Ten game. The Scarlet Knights had 23 assists, it's most ever in a Big Ten game. 93 points in the game was a season-high for Rutgers and marked a four-game winning streak, the team's longest winning streak of the season.

RU will play a pair of games on the road this week with a matchup against the Maryland Terrapins at College Park scheduled for Saturday at 2:00 p.m.

"It's tough on the road in this league," head coach Steve Pikiell said. "We're playing tough teams. We have to play good basketball, we have to be well prepared. These guys know. But it's not easy to win on the road in this great league. We have to play really well this week."

Passing the rock

RU has shared the ball exceptionally well this season, reaching 25 assists in two different contests (vs. CCSU and at Maine). Rutgers has had over 20 assists in four-straight contests. That marks the first time an RU team has done so in over 30 seasons since 1993-94 when game-by-game statistics have been tracked. The contest at UMass marked the first time the team had 25 assists on the road since 1992 when the Scarlet Knights played St. Bonaventure at the Reilly Center on 02/29/1992.

The 25 team assists marked the highest total for a Rutgers men's basketball team in a game since the 11/28/11 at home vs. UMBC. A Steve Pikiell-coached Rutgers team had never previously had 25 assists in a single game.

Mulcahy's career-season

Guard Paul Mulcahy is leading the Big Ten Conference with 6.8 assists-per-game in conference play. Mulcahy is averaging 4.9 assists per game overall.

The last Rutgers player to average more assists over a full season was Brian Ellerbe when he dished out 6.2 per game during the 1984-1985 season. Mulcahy is averaging career-bests with 6.8 points-per-game, 4.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists-per-game.

Scouting Penn State

Junior forward Seth Lundy is leading the way on the offensive side of the ball for the Nittany Lions so far this season. Lundy is averaging 14.5 points-per-game and 6.0 rebounds-per-game. He is shooting 42.4 percent from the field, 37.5 from three-points range and 90 percent from the free throw line.

Senior guard Jalen Pickett is the ball-handler for Penn State and leads the unit with 4.6 dishes-a-game. Pickett is second in scoring with 13.3 points-per-game. He's shooting 40.4 percent from the field and had 4.2 rebounds-per-game.

Senior forward John Harrar leads the team with 10.3 rebounds-per-game. Harrar is averaging a double-double on the season with 10.7 points-per-contest. He is shooting 69.6 percent from the field. Senior guard Sam Sessoms is averaging double figures with 11.5 points-per-game.

History with Penn State

The Scarlet Knights are (34-42) all-time and (6-8) against the Nittany Lions as members of the Big Ten. RU has lost the last two games against Penn State. Rutgers is (4-4) in games on the road against the Nittany Lions.

The last victory on the road against Penn State came on Jan. 26 of 2019.  

Rutgers made nine of 12 free throws in the final minutes to earn its second straight Big Ten victory, a 64-60 decision over Penn State on that Saturday afternoon at the Bryce Jordan Center. Geo Baker scored 20 points to pace the Scarlet Knights in a hard-fought contest that featured seven ties and eight lead changes in the second half.

Penn State last time out

Trailing by as much as 13 with just over 12 minutes to play in the second half, the Penn State men's basketball team chipped away at the double-digit deficit and hit eight-straight field goals to take a one-point lead with 3:42 remaining before the visiting third-ranked Purdue Boilermakers closed the game on a 10-2 run for a 74-67 victory Saturday afternoon inside the Bryce Jordan Center.
 
Four Nittany Lions scored in double figures, led by Jalen Pickett's 21 points, his second 20-point performance of the season. Pickett also added a season-best 10 assists for his first double-double in a Penn State uniform and eighth in his career after totaling seven in three seasons with Siena.
 
Senior Greg Lee recorded a season-best 11 points for his first double-figure game as a Nittany Lion while Seth Lundy and John Harrar each added 10. Harrar led the Nittany Lions with eight rebounds. Senior Jalanni White registered a season-best nine points on 4-4 from the field including a big score from beyond the arc to get Penn State within two in its comeback bid.