Mulcahy’s Huge Night, Not Enough as RU Falls to Northwestern

NORTHWESTERN 79 - RUTGERS 78

Junior guard Paul Mulcahy had one of the best nights of his career, posting 31 points to lead Rutgers back from a 24-point deficit, Tuesday night. But it wasn't enough as Northwestern came out victorious, albeit barely, 79-78, sending Rutgers to 6-5 in the Big 10 Conference, 12-9 overall.

Mulcahy career night looked like this: ten field goals on just 13 shots, including 9-for-11 from the free throw line and 2-for-3 from three-point range. He played a career-high 44 minutes, grabbed seven boards and had seven assists.

"Paul was spectacular....really spectacular," Rutgers Head Coach Steve Pikiell said. "Just grit, will. He was great. He really was. He kept us in it. He got to the free-throw line, he got downhill, he made shots. But I just loved him directing the entire second half and the first half, too, and just kind of willed us back into this basketball game."

Clifford Omoruyi also had a huge night for Rutgers, contributing 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting and 4-for-6 from the free throw line.

With 17:07 to go in the game, Rutgers found itself down 24-points, 52-28 before a pair of free throws, and a three-pointer by Ron Harper really sparked this offense into a higher gear as Rutgers went on a 13-3 tear to cut the Northwestern deficit to 55-41.

After both teams went back and forth, Rutgers finally brought the deficit down to single digits when Mulcahy hit a jumper with 7:38 to play to make it 60-52 ball game.

Rutgers would close out regulation on an 18-10 run, tying the game at 70 and forcing overtime. Mulcahy netted 12 points during that stretch, which included a huge three-pointer that brought Rutgers to within one point, 68-67. Two minutes later, Omoruyi sent the game into OT when he slammed home a dunk with one second to go, tying it at 70.

In overtime a pair of three's by Northwestern's Chase Audige and Boo Buie ultimately sank Rutgers chances of pulling off an incredible come-from behind victory.

"We spotted a team 24 points and you've got to use so much energy and every play you've got to make now and you've got to make every open shot," head coach Steve Pikiell said. "It's just a hard way to play."

Rutgers will host Michigan State on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Jersey Mike's Arena.