Iowa Ousts Rutgers from Big 10 Tournament
IOWA 84 – RUTGERS 74
Rutgers dream of capturing its first ever Big Ten Tournament title came to halt Friday afternoon in Indianapolis, as Keegan Murray and the Iowa Hawkeyes proved to be too much in an 84-74 loss in Quarterfinals of the tournament.
Rutgers (18-13, 12-9) will now wait until Sunday night to find out if they will sneak into the NCAA Tournament or get invited to the NIT.
Geo Baker led the fourth-seeded Scarlet Knights with 23 points. Meanwhile, Clifford Omoruyi had 17 points, Ron Harper Jr. and Paul Mulcahy had 13 points a piece.
After the game, Head Coach Steve Pikiell, who signed a contract extension through the 2029-30 season, called this year’s team one of the best he has ever coached.
"If we're not in, I don't know what to tell you."
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) March 11, 2022
Ron Harper Jr. (@__RHJR), @Geo_Baker_1 and Steve Pikiell state the case for @RutgersMBB dancing.#B1Gtourney pic.twitter.com/rumTks9C7p
Rutgers got off to a fast start in this one, leading at one point 15-5 with 15:44 to go in the first half. Rutgers fast break offense, and ability to swipe the basketball on the defensive end helped them to the early start.
However a missed three pointer by Baker with 10:09 to go in the first half was quickly answered with a three-ball by Iowa’s Connor McCaffery to cut the Rutgers lead down to 19-18. After a Ron Harper miss, Joe Toussaint gave Iowa its first lead on a layup with 9:26 to go in the half.
Rutgers would never lead again. Iowa went on to 16-6 run to take a 12-point lead (36-24) with 2:49 to go before halftime.
In the second half, Rutgers tried to chip away, but Keegan Murray was too much on the glass. He led both teams with 26 points on 10-of-19 shooting. Jordan Bohannon and Tony Perkins each had 16 points for Iowa.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 11: Paul Mulcahy #4 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights takes a shot during the second half in the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the Big Ten Championship at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 11, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 11: Caleb McConnell #22 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights takes a shot over Filip Rebraca #0 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half during the Big Ten Championship at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 11, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 11: Clifford Omoruyi #11 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights takes a shot over Filip Rebraca #0 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half during the Big Ten Championship at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 11, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 11: Geo Baker #0 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights looks on during the second half in the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the Big Ten Championship at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 11, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 11: Ron Harper Jr. #24 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights takes a shot over Filip Rebraca #0 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half during the Big Ten Championship at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 11, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 11: Head coach Steve Pikiell of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights talks with an official in the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half during the Big Ten Championship at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 11, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
