Rutgers Men’s Basketball Blasts Michigan State
RUTGERS 84 – MICHIGAN STATE 63 There are moments in a team’s season when it needs to win a game in the worst way. Entering Saturday’s matinee against Michigan State…
PISCATAWAY, NJ – FEBRUARY 05: A.J. Hoggard #11 of the Michigan State Spartans looses the ball as Caleb McConnell #22 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights knocks it away with the help of teammate Paul Mulcahy #4 during the first half of a game at Jersey Mike’s Arena on February 5, 2022 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
RUTGERS 84 - MICHIGAN STATE 63
There are moments in a team's season when it needs to win a game in the worst way. Entering Saturday's matinee against Michigan State at 12-9 on the season, 6-5 in the Big Ten, Rutgers needed a win, especially against a Big Ten rival.
In one of their most impressive outings of the season, the Scarlet Knights dominated a Michigan State Spartans team that has March in their sights by the tune of 84-63, including blowing them out in the second half by 19 points.
PISCATAWAY, NJ - FEBRUARY 05: Clifford Omoruyi #11 and Caleb McConnell #22 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights battle Gabe Brown #44 and Joey Hauser #10 of the Michigan State Spartans for a rebound during the first half of a game at Jersey Mike's Arena on February 5, 2022 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Rutgers shot the lights out, hitting on 61.5 percent of their shots for the game, and 45 percent from downtown. Rutgers also won the turnover battle 15-12. The Spartans managed to hit on only 45 percent of their shots; they had really no chance especially with how aggressively Rutgers played on the defensive side of the floor.
More impressively, six of the seven players who took a shot for Rutgers on Saturday were in double-figures.
Ron Harper Jr. (6-of-14) and Clifford Omoruyi (6-of-6) led the way, with each scoring 17 points in the victory.
Off his 30-point effort the other night against Northwestern, Paul Mulcahy had a double-double with 15 points and 12 assists.
Geo Baker and Dean Reiber each scored 12 points, and Caleb McConnell had 11 points for RU.
Rutgers never trailed at any point, although Michigan State came to within two points at several points in the first half. The Spartans just couldn't get the big shot they needed to turn the tables.
Rutgers opened the second half on a 9-2 run with a huge three-ball by McConnell proving to be a preview of coming attractions.
After a jump-shot by Michigan State's Malik Hall cut the RU lead down to three points, 50-47, Rutgers went on an 11-0 run that all but put the game away. Mulcahy converted on a three-point play with a layup and free throw to make it 53-47.
McConnell would convert a turnover by Michigan State into points on a layup to push Rutgers ahead 55-47.
After a missed dunk by Michigan State's Julius Marble, Rutgers turned that miscue into points when Dean Reiber nailed a three-pointer to push the Rutgers lead to 11.
Before Michigan State could look they were down 61-47 when Mulchay converted on another three-point play with a free-throw at the 10:58 mark.
Rutgers continued to press inside the paint with Omoruyi who hit on a couple of jumpers to help Rutgers build a 15-point lead, 69-54.
That set the table for Harper, Mulcahy and Baker to hit on back-to-back three-pointers that built a 78-59 advantage with 4:23 to go.
Rutgers is now 13-9 on the season, 7-5 in the Big Ten. They also improve to 11-2 at Jersey Mike's Arena, which was sold out once again.
With eight games left in the regular season, every match-up matters that much more for the Scarlet Knights. They will host 16th ranked Ohio State on Wednesday night. Catch the action on 93.5 FM, 1450 AM, Fox Sports New Jersey at 7 p.m.
