The Rutgers Scarlet Knights dominated Minnesota 90-55 in front of 8,000 spectators on Wednesday night at Jersey Mike’s Arena, a game that featured stand out performances from just about everyone who touched the floor including Junior Oskar Palmquist.
The redshirt junior from Sweeden, who had seen action in only six games, had his best game of the season, netting 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including 3-of-4 from downtown.
Palmquist’s key note on Wednesday came midway through the first half when he nailed a huge three pointer with Rutgers clinging to a 22-20 lead. That shot swung the momentum back toward Rutgers, who never looked back.
“I know he’s very capable of that,” Head Coach Steve Pikell said. “Sometimes it’s hard and he hasn’t played the minutes that I know he would like, but he plugs away every day in practice. He’s a great teammate. He does all the things that you want. He got his opportunity tonight β and sometimes guys get that opportunity and they’re not ready for it β he was ready for it and we needed him to be. (I’m) real proud of him.”
Six players finished in double figures, with Cam Spencer leading the way with 17 points.
Clifford Omoruyi and Caleb McConnell each contributed 13 points. Aundre Hyatt and Mawott Mag added 10-points a piece.
Rutgers 35-point win was the largest margin of victory in a Big Ten game since joining the league, and largest margin of victory in over 20 years in a conference game.
Rutgers is now 15-1 this season when allowing 65 points or fewer and 7-0 when doing so in Big Ten games.
The Scarlet Knights face Michigan State on Saturday in the Big Ten Super Saturday Classic at Madison Square Garden at 12 noon.
