PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Rutgers men's basketball team played one of their best games in school history against No. 13 Michigan State on Saturday.

RU had their highest margin victory (21 points) over a ranked opponent in school history. RU shot 61.5 percent from the field, which marks the best field goal percentage in a Big Ten Conference game in school history. Six players on the roster scored in double figures. That marks the second time this season that RU had that many score double digit points (UMass). 

"Great environment today. Jersey Mike's Arena was jumping," head coach Steve Pikiell said. "I loved the environment. I think I'm going to go get some subs today from Jersey Mike's after this. It was a great game. Everyone obviously contributed. You know the respect I have for Michigan State I think Coach Izzo is the best coach in the country. You have to play 40 minutes and we did today. A lot of guys did a lot of good things so I'm real pleased. This league, another tough one is right around the corner. So I'm happy, just for a moment."

Rutgers has won back-to-back games over Michigan State by a 20-plus point margin.

Rutgers claimed its second straight win over Michigan State following a 67-37 home victory last season. Last season's win was RU's first ever over MSU following losses in the previous 10 matchups. Rutgers improved to 11-2 at Jersey Mike's Arena this season and 39-7 at home over the past three seasons. 

The Scarlet Knights improved to 7-5 in Big Ten play. Steve Pikiell has led RU to a 28-24 Big Ten regular season record over the past two and a half seasons after he was just 13-43 in his first three seasons building Rutgers in the conference. RU was just 16-76 in their first five years in the league.  

"We needed to match their physicality," Pikiell said. "I was pleased that our guys got out and we ran. We shared the game, 22 assists in a game like this is hard to do. They were really good defensively. We outrebounded them, which was a huge key for us, they are one of the best rebounding teams in the country. When our guys are attached and play like that, Paul a career high in assists, the job that Caleb did, Dean comes off the bench and gets his career high. Cliff doesn't miss a shot. Ron gets his head down and gets to the rim and makes some key plays. Jalen Miller comes in and gives us great energy. They really helped us move the needle in that second half with great energy." 

Below are four more takeaways from RU's historic win:



Paul Mulcahy, Big Ten Player of the Week?

Junior guard Paul Mulcahy had one of his best games as a Scarlet Knight.Mulcahy had a career-high 12 assists and his first-ever double-double at RU. Mulcahy had 15 points on (6-9) shooting and four rebounds. He had one steal, just two turnovers and knocked in a huge three-pointer late in the second half. Mulcahy's 12 assists were the most in a regulation game since Dec. 30, 1997.

Mulcahy has made a serious bid for Big Ten Player of the Week after scoring a career-high 31 points against Northwestern on Tuesday.

Mulcahy is averaging 18.9 points and 7.0 assists in his last three games dating back to the win at Nebraska. Mulcahy was +29 in in his 30 minutes on the floor.

Geo Baker, Mr. 1,500

Senior guard Geo Baker became the 12^th Scarlet Knight to reach the 1,500 career point plateau with his first three-pointer and basket of the game. Baker also moved past Kelvin Troy for 11^th all-time at RU in field goals.
 
Reiber off the bench

Forward Dean Reiber keeps on improving and impressing the Rutgers coaching staff. Reiber came off the bench and scored a career-high 12 points in 11 minutes.

He was (5-6) from the field and (2-3) from three-point range.

Balanced scoring, fast break points
 
Rutgers dominated in transition on Saturday against Michigan State. The Scarlet Knights outscored the Spartans 11-0 in transition points.

Six players scored in double figures in a balanced scoring effort. Center Clifford Omoruyi had 17 points for his 15^th game this season in double digits. Omoruyi didn't miss any of his six field goal attempts.

Senior guard Caleb McConnell had 11 points on (5-9) shooting from the field.

Baker has 12 points and five assists. Senior Forward Ron Harper Jr. had a quiet 17 points on (6-14) shooting. Reiber and Mulcahy rounded out the double digit scorers.