Rutgers Men’s Basketball Edges Out Lehigh in OT Thriller
In front of a packed crowd as the newly minted Jersey Mike’s Arena, Rutgers outlasted Lehigh 73-70 in overtime to open the 2021-22 season. It was the first time in 618 days that Rutgers has played in front of a full house since the COVID pandemic began.
“The energy that the crowd brings is great,” Coach Steve Pikiell said afterwards. “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.”
Rutgers had led by as many as five points in the second half, before Lehigh put together a late surge. A three-pointer by Marques Wilson cut the Rutgers lead to one, 61-60. A possession later, and Lehigh jumped out in front when Dominic Parolin connected on a lay up with 1:34 to go in regulation to give Lehigh a slim 62-61 advantage.
With 0:45 to go in the game, Geo Baker hit the game-tying bucket for Rutgers to send the game into overtime.
Geo comes up in the clutch and ties it up 63-63!
— Rutgers Men’s Basketball 🏀 (@RutgersMBB) November 11, 2021
We're headed to OT! #GardenStatement
(B1G+) pic.twitter.com/b7hhUUYeY7
In the OT, Clifford Omoruyi dropped a basket in the paint to give Rutgers the early advantage at 65-63.
“We’re in good hands at the five spot. I love this guy,” Pikiell said of Omoruyi afterwards. “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.”
After a missed free throw by Lehigh, Rutgers added to their tenuous lead when Paul Mulcahy hit a jump shot to give RU a 4-point advantage. With 0:45 to go in overtime, Omoruyi, who led Rutgers in points with 16, hit one more basket to give Rutgers it’s biggest lead of the second half, six points, at 71-65. Geo Baker would finish off the scoring for Rutgers at the free throw line.
“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,” Pikiell continued.
“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.”
Before the game Rutgers unveiled a 2021 NCAA Tournament banner to commemorate Rutgers’ return to March Madness where they upset Clemson in the first round last March.
Rutgers (1-0) will host Merrimack on Saturday at Jersey Mike’s Arena at 2 p.m.
