Baker, Harper rally Rutgers past Purdue 71-68 in OT
AP
Mar 07, 2020
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Geo Baker was just doing what his team expected.
''It's not even really putting the team on my back,'' Baker said. ''Everyone has a role on this team and my role is to get the ball at the end of the game and make a play. I'm very comfortable in that role, win or lose. I want that. I want the ball at the end of the game.''
Baker scored 19 points, including a crucial late basket, to help lift Rutgers to a 71-68 overtime victory over Purdue Boilermakers Saturday in the final regular season game for both teams.
''He's tremendous,'' Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell said. ''He wanted the ball. I'm just proud of him. He made some real tough shots and I thought we took advantage of some mismatches. I thought we did a good job of feeding our open guys.''
Purdue coach Matt Painter said Baker was tough to stop.
''When he gets hot like that, he makes those plays,'' Painter said. ''It's amazing he averages 11 points because he has an handful of games like he had (Saturday) where he just makes impossible shots.''
Ron Harper Jr. added 15 points, including the winner, for the Scarlet Knights (20-11, 11-9 Big Ten).
The Scarlet Knights, now 3-12 all-time against Purdue, got their first victory at Purdue.
''This has been really tough place for us to play,'' Pikiell said, ''It's a tough place for everyone to play. Our guys, they've sacrificed a lot you know and and they've given up themselves and (Saturday) was just a perfect example where everyone stepped up and made big plays.''
Purdue's Sasha Stefanovic had made a 3-pointer and tied the game at 66-all in overtime. But Harper Jr. answered immediately with his third 3-pointer to put the Scarlet Knights ahead for good at 69-66 with 1:10 to go.
Eric Hunter Jr. was fouled and sank two of three free throws to narrow the deficit to 69-68. Baker hit a shot with 11 seconds left to make it 71-68. Purdue's Evan Boudreaux missed a shot from behind the arc, but it was unclear if he got it off in time.
Stefanovic was high for the Boilermakers (16-15, 9-11) with 22 points. Hunter added 12 points for Purdue, which saw its NCAA Tournament hopes dwindle.
''It's a big opportunity we missed out on, especially closing out the regular season and getting a better seed in the Big Ten Tournament,'' Hunter said.
Hunter missed an opportunity to win in regulation for Purdue when he missed the second of two free throws with 2.7 seconds remaining. His first free throw tied it a 61-all. The Scarlet Knights got the rebound, but were unable to get a shot off.
Hunter's layup had put Purdue ahead 60-59 with 30 seconds to go. But Baker answered with a step-back jumper to put Rutgers ahead.
Purdue center Matt Haarms electrified the crowd with a big dunk following a missed 3-pointer by Jahaad Proctor to put the Boilermakers ahead 49-47.
Any momentum was short-lived as Rutgers regained the lead on a 3-pointer by Baker to grab a 51-49 lead with 5:43 left.
With 1:27 left in regulation, Baker hit two free throws to push the Scarlet Knights' lead to 59-55. Stefanovic sank a 3-pointer while falling down to narrow the deficit to 59-58.
Rutgers' Jacob Young missed two free throws with 57 seconds left.
In the first half, Young sank a 3-pointer with 44 seconds left to give Rutgers a 36-33 lead at the break.
Rutgers held a 42-39 rebounding edge and shot 44% while Purdue was 34% shooting.
''Give them credit, they made some tough shots,'' Painter said.
BIG PICTURE
Rutgers: Got a Big Ten road victory to likely seal an NCAA Tournament bid.
Purdue: Boilermakers saw their NCAA Tournament hopes fade by finishing below .500 in conference. Purdue will likely need a deep run in the conference tournament.
SIMPLE MISSION?
Purdue coach Matt Painter said he believed his team had to win the Big Ten Tournament now to secure an NCAA bid. How do the inconsistent Boilermakers do that?
''Win four games,'' Painter said.
UP NEXT
Rutgers will play Thursday in the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis, likely seeded eighth or ninth, depending on Michigan's game at Maryland on Sunday
Purdue will be seeded 10th in the Big Ten Tournament, playing the seventh seed on Thursday.
---
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1st Half
RUTG
Scarlet Knights
36
PUR
Boilermakers
33
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
Jumpball received by Purdue
19:45
+3
Sasha Stefanovic made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Nojel Eastern
0-3
19:23
Lost ball turnover on Shaq Carter, stolen by Sasha Stefanovic
19:17
Lost ball turnover on Sasha Stefanovic, stolen by Ron Harper Jr.
18:59
Akwasi Yeboah missed jump shot
18:57
Defensive rebound by Nojel Eastern
18:43
+2
Trevion Williams made jump shot
0-5
18:26
Turnover on Montez Mathis
18:16
Turnover on Trevion Williams
18:16
Shaq Carter missed jump shot
18:14
Offensive rebound by Rutgers
17:43
Montez Mathis missed jump shot, blocked by Eric Hunter Jr.
17:41
Offensive rebound by Myles Johnson
17:31
Lost ball turnover on Myles Johnson, stolen by Evan Boudreaux
17:04
Sasha Stefanovic missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:02
Defensive rebound by Geo Baker
16:56
Akwasi Yeboah missed jump shot, blocked by Evan Boudreaux
16:54
Offensive rebound by Akwasi Yeboah
16:53
+2
Akwasi Yeboah made layup
2-5
16:52
Evan Boudreaux missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:38
Defensive rebound by Myles Johnson
16:33
+3
Montez Mathis made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Geo Baker
5-5
16:08
Evan Boudreaux missed layup, blocked by Ron Harper Jr.
16:06
Defensive rebound by Rutgers
15:41
+3
Geo Baker made 3-pt. jump shot
8-5
15:12
Nojel Eastern missed jump shot
15:10
Defensive rebound by Myles Johnson
14:49
Geo Baker missed jump shot
14:47
Defensive rebound by Evan Boudreaux
14:41
Nojel Eastern missed layup
14:39
Defensive rebound by Ron Harper Jr.
14:31
Ron Harper Jr. missed jump shot, blocked by Matt Haarms
14:29
Defensive rebound by Evan Boudreaux
14:12
+2
Eric Hunter Jr. made layup
8-7
13:53
Offensive foul on Myles Johnson
13:53
Turnover on Myles Johnson
13:53
Commercial timeout called
13:33
Eric Hunter Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:31
Defensive rebound by Myles Johnson
13:09
+3
Ron Harper Jr. made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Myles Johnson
11-7
12:35
Eric Hunter Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
12:33
Defensive rebound by Geo Baker
12:24
Personal foul on Evan Boudreaux
12:21
Lost ball turnover on Akwasi Yeboah, stolen by Trevion Williams
12:10
+3
Isaiah Thompson made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Eric Hunter Jr.
11-10
11:55
Akwasi Yeboah missed layup
11:53
Defensive rebound by Trevion Williams
11:47
Eric Hunter Jr. missed jump shot
11:45
Defensive rebound by Rutgers
11:45
Commercial timeout called
11:32
Personal foul on Isaiah Thompson
11:23
Jacob Young missed layup
11:21
Offensive rebound by Akwasi Yeboah
11:19
+2
Akwasi Yeboah made layup
13-10
11:02
+2
Isaiah Thompson made jump shot
13-12
10:48
+2
Akwasi Yeboah made layup
15-12
10:29
Isaiah Thompson missed jump shot
10:27
Offensive rebound by Trevion Williams
10:20
Jahaad Proctor missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:18
Defensive rebound by Paul Mulcahy
10:08
Jacob Young missed jump shot, blocked by Aaron Wheeler
10:06
Offensive rebound by Jacob Young
9:59
Akwasi Yeboah missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:57
Defensive rebound by Trevion Williams
9:53
Aaron Wheeler missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:51
Defensive rebound by Jacob Young
9:21
Traveling violation turnover on Mamadou Doucoure
9:03
Trevion Williams missed jump shot
9:01
Offensive rebound by Evan Boudreaux
8:55
+2
Evan Boudreaux made jump shot
15-14
8:55
Shooting foul on Akwasi Yeboah
9:02
+1
Evan Boudreaux made free throw
15-15
8:46
Offensive foul on Myles Johnson
8:46
Turnover on Myles Johnson
8:33
+3
Isaiah Thompson made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Sasha Stefanovic
15-18
8:06
+2
Akwasi Yeboah made layup
17-18
7:52
+2
Sasha Stefanovic made layup, assist by Nojel Eastern
17-20
7:41
Personal foul on Nojel Eastern
7:41
Commercial timeout called
7:29
Traveling violation turnover on Geo Baker
7:16
Sasha Stefanovic missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:14
Defensive rebound by Caleb McConnell
7:01
Turnover on Shaq Carter
6:44
Shooting foul on Caleb McConnell
6:44
+1
Matt Haarms made 1st of 2 free throws
17-21
6:44
+1
Matt Haarms made 2nd of 2 free throws
17-22
6:25
Shooting foul on Matt Haarms
6:25
+1
Ron Harper Jr. made 1st of 2 free throws
18-22
6:25
Ron Harper Jr. missed 2nd of 2 free throws
6:25
Defensive rebound by Sasha Stefanovic
6:08
Turnover on Sasha Stefanovic
6:01
+3
Ron Harper Jr. made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Geo Baker
21-22
5:44
Shooting foul on Geo Baker
5:44
+1
Sasha Stefanovic made 1st of 3 free throws
21-23
5:44
+1
Sasha Stefanovic made 2nd of 3 free throws
21-24
5:44
+1
Sasha Stefanovic made 3rd of 3 free throws
21-25
5:25
Montez Mathis missed jump shot
5:23
Defensive rebound by Trevion Williams
5:09
Evan Boudreaux missed layup, blocked by Ron Harper Jr.
5:07
Defensive rebound by Ron Harper Jr.
4:59
+3
Geo Baker made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jacob Young
24-25
4:38
Offensive foul on Nojel Eastern
4:38
Turnover on Nojel Eastern
4:23
Montez Mathis missed 3-pt. jump shot
4:21
Offensive rebound by Akwasi Yeboah
4:18
Shooting foul on Trevion Williams
4:18
Montez Mathis missed 1st of 2 free throws
4:18
+1
Montez Mathis made 2nd of 2 free throws
25-25
4:06
+2
Trevion Williams made layup, assist by Sasha Stefanovic
25-27
3:47
+2
Shaq Carter made layup
27-27
3:24
+2
Evan Boudreaux made layup, assist by Sasha Stefanovic
27-29
3:24
Shooting foul on Akwasi Yeboah
3:24
Commercial timeout called
3:24
+1
Evan Boudreaux made free throw
27-30
3:10
Montez Mathis missed layup, blocked by Trevion Williams
3:08
Offensive rebound by Montez Mathis
3:00
Montez Mathis missed jump shot
3:00
Offensive rebound by Shaq Carter
3:00
+2
Shaq Carter made layup
29-30
2:39
Evan Boudreaux missed jump shot
2:37
Defensive rebound by Rutgers
2:37
Personal foul on Trevion Williams
2:37
+1
Shaq Carter made 1st of 2 free throws
30-30
2:37
+1
Shaq Carter made 2nd of 2 free throws
31-30
2:13
Isaiah Thompson missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:11
Offensive rebound by Matt Haarms
2:03
Isaiah Thompson missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:01
Defensive rebound by Shaq Carter
1:55
Ron Harper Jr. missed layup
1:53
Defensive rebound by Evan Boudreaux
1:48
Traveling violation turnover on Eric Hunter Jr.
1:19
Lost ball turnover on Isaiah Thompson, stolen by Montez Mathis
1:30
+2
Jacob Young made layup
33-30
1:19
Lost ball turnover on Isaiah Thompson, stolen by Montez Mathis
1:14
Montez Mathis missed layup
1:12
Offensive rebound by Montez Mathis
1:03
Geo Baker missed layup, blocked by Matt Haarms
1:03
Defensive rebound by Aaron Wheeler
59.0
+2
Eric Hunter Jr. made layup, assist by Aaron Wheeler
33-32
59.0
Shooting foul on Montez Mathis
52.0
+1
Eric Hunter Jr. made free throw
33-33
42.0
+3
Jacob Young made 3-pt. jump shot
36-33
13.0
Defensive rebound by Ron Harper Jr.
15.0
Evan Boudreaux missed 3-pt. jump shot
13.0
Defensive rebound by Ron Harper Jr.
3.0
Ron Harper Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
1.0
Defensive rebound by Jahaad Proctor
2nd Half
RUTG
Scarlet Knights
25
PUR
Boilermakers
28
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:41
Geo Baker missed jump shot
19:39
Defensive rebound by Sasha Stefanovic
19:21
Sasha Stefanovic missed 3-pt. jump shot
19:19
Defensive rebound by Ron Harper Jr.
19:05
+3
Akwasi Yeboah made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Geo Baker
39-33
18:42
Shooting foul on Ron Harper Jr.
18:42
+1
Trevion Williams made 1st of 2 free throws
39-34
18:42
+1
Trevion Williams made 2nd of 2 free throws
39-35
18:30
Akwasi Yeboah missed 3-pt. jump shot
18:28
Defensive rebound by Trevion Williams
18:21
+3
Sasha Stefanovic made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Nojel Eastern
39-38
17:48
Akwasi Yeboah missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:46
Defensive rebound by Evan Boudreaux
17:40
Evan Boudreaux missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:38
Defensive rebound by Akwasi Yeboah
17:28
Geo Baker missed layup
17:26
Defensive rebound by Evan Boudreaux
17:27
Jumpball received by Purdue
17:11
Sasha Stefanovic missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:09
Offensive rebound by Evan Boudreaux
17:07
Shooting foul on Montez Mathis
17:07
Evan Boudreaux missed 1st of 2 free throws
17:07
+1
Evan Boudreaux made 2nd of 2 free throws
39-39
16:53
Lost ball turnover on Ron Harper Jr., stolen by Nojel Eastern
16:50
Personal foul on Ron Harper Jr.
16:32
Eric Hunter Jr. missed jump shot
16:30
Offensive rebound by Trevion Williams
16:25
+2
Trevion Williams made layup
39-41
16:09
Montez Mathis missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:07
Defensive rebound by Nojel Eastern
16:02
Nojel Eastern missed layup, blocked by Shaq Carter
16:00
Defensive rebound by Shaq Carter
15:53
Personal foul on Eric Hunter Jr.
15:53
Commercial timeout called
15:45
+2
Ron Harper Jr. made dunk, assist by Myles Johnson
41-41
15:28
Personal foul on Geo Baker
15:14
Eric Hunter Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:12
Defensive rebound by Geo Baker
15:05
Lost ball turnover on Myles Johnson, stolen by Matt Haarms
14:44
Personal foul on Akwasi Yeboah
14:34
Matt Haarms missed layup
14:32
Offensive rebound by Matt Haarms
14:27
Matt Haarms missed layup
14:25
Offensive rebound by Matt Haarms
14:22
+2
Matt Haarms made layup
41-43
14:17
+2
Ron Harper Jr. made jump shot
43-43
14:11
Lost ball turnover on Eric Hunter Jr., stolen by Geo Baker
14:05
Jacob Young missed jump shot
14:03
Defensive rebound by Evan Boudreaux
13:55
Turnover on Evan Boudreaux
13:48
+2
Myles Johnson made dunk, assist by Jacob Young
45-43
13:31
Nojel Eastern missed jump shot
13:29
Defensive rebound by Geo Baker
13:20
Jumpball received by Rutgers
12:59
Myles Johnson missed jump shot
12:57
Defensive rebound by Jahaad Proctor
12:33
Matt Haarms missed jump shot
12:31
Defensive rebound by Ron Harper Jr.
12:24
Geo Baker missed 3-pt. jump shot
12:22
Defensive rebound by Evan Boudreaux
12:18
30-second timeout called
12:18
Commercial timeout called
11:58
Trevion Williams missed layup
11:56
Defensive rebound by Akwasi Yeboah
11:25
Shot clock violation turnover on Rutgers
11:25
Commercial timeout called
11:10
Isaiah Thompson missed 3-pt. jump shot
11:08
Defensive rebound by Rutgers
11:08
Personal foul on Evan Boudreaux
10:47
Paul Mulcahy missed layup
10:45
Defensive rebound by Evan Boudreaux
10:31
Trevion Williams missed jump shot
10:29
Defensive rebound by Myles Johnson
10:27
Personal foul on Jahaad Proctor
10:10
Turnover on Jacob Young
9:45
Lost ball turnover on Jahaad Proctor, stolen by Akwasi Yeboah
9:38
+2
Montez Mathis made jump shot, assist by Paul Mulcahy
47-43
9:19
+2
Sasha Stefanovic made layup, assist by Matt Haarms
47-45
9:02
Montez Mathis missed layup
9:00
Defensive rebound by Aaron Wheeler
9:00
Personal foul on Myles Johnson
8:46
Sasha Stefanovic missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:44
Offensive rebound by Matt Haarms
8:35
Shooting foul on Paul Mulcahy
8:35
+1
Jahaad Proctor made 1st of 2 free throws
47-46
8:35
+1
Jahaad Proctor made 2nd of 2 free throws
47-47
8:15
Paul Mulcahy missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:13
Defensive rebound by Eric Hunter Jr.
7:56
Lost ball turnover on Jahaad Proctor, stolen by Geo Baker
7:36
Ron Harper Jr. missed jump shot
7:34
Defensive rebound by Aaron Wheeler
7:27
Sasha Stefanovic missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:25
Offensive rebound by Eric Hunter Jr.
7:22
Jahaad Proctor missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:20
Offensive rebound by Matt Haarms
7:16
+2
Matt Haarms made dunk
47-49
7:12
30-second timeout called
7:12
Commercial timeout called
7:05
Shooting foul on Sasha Stefanovic
7:05
+1
Ron Harper Jr. made 1st of 2 free throws
48-49
7:05
Ron Harper Jr. missed 2nd of 2 free throws
7:05
Defensive rebound by Sasha Stefanovic
6:52
Matt Haarms missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:50
Offensive rebound by Eric Hunter Jr.
6:43
Aaron Wheeler missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:41
Defensive rebound by Montez Mathis
6:22
Offensive foul on Ron Harper Jr.
6:22
Turnover on Ron Harper Jr.
6:04
Trevion Williams missed layup
6:02
Defensive rebound by Myles Johnson
6:02
Personal foul on Evan Boudreaux
5:42
+3
Geo Baker made 3-pt. jump shot
51-49
5:26
+3
Sasha Stefanovic made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Evan Boudreaux
51-52
5:11
Offensive foul on Myles Johnson
5:11
Turnover on Myles Johnson
5:03
Offensive foul on Sasha Stefanovic
5:03
Turnover on Sasha Stefanovic
4:50
Personal foul on Evan Boudreaux
4:50
Geo Baker missed free throw
4:50
Defensive rebound by Nojel Eastern
4:21
Eric Hunter Jr. missed jump shot
4:19
Defensive rebound by Montez Mathis
4:08
+2
Geo Baker made layup
53-52
3:43
Commercial timeout called
3:40
Sasha Stefanovic missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:38
Defensive rebound by Shaq Carter
3:20
+2
Geo Baker made layup
55-52
3:03
+2
Matt Haarms made dunk, assist by Sasha Stefanovic
55-54
2:43
Jacob Young missed jump shot
2:41
Offensive rebound by Montez Mathis
2:34
30-second timeout called
2:26
+2
Geo Baker made jump shot
57-54
1:52
Shooting foul on Myles Johnson
1:52
+1
Matt Haarms made 1st of 2 free throws
57-55
1:52
Matt Haarms missed 2nd of 2 free throws
1:52
Defensive rebound by Montez Mathis
1:27
Shooting foul on Matt Haarms
1:27
+1
Montez Mathis made 1st of 2 free throws
58-55
1:27
+1
Montez Mathis made 2nd of 2 free throws
59-55
1:15
+3
Sasha Stefanovic made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Nojel Eastern
59-58
56.0
Shooting foul on Eric Hunter Jr.
56.0
Jacob Young missed 1st of 2 free throws
56.0
Jacob Young missed 2nd of 2 free throws
56.0
Defensive rebound by Sasha Stefanovic
40.0
30-second timeout called
29.0
+2
Eric Hunter Jr. made layup
59-60
13.0
+2
Geo Baker made jump shot
61-60
10.0
30-second timeout called
3.0
Eric Hunter Jr. missed jump shot
1.0
Offensive rebound by Eric Hunter Jr.
2.0
Shooting foul on Ron Harper Jr.
2.0
+1
Eric Hunter Jr. made 1st of 2 free throws
61-61
2.0
Eric Hunter Jr. missed 2nd of 2 free throws
1.0
Defensive rebound by Ron Harper Jr.
0.0
End of period
OT
RUTG
Scarlet Knights
10
PUR
Boilermakers
7
Time
Team
Play
Score
5:00
Jumpball received by Rutgers
4:34
+2
Jacob Young made layup
63-61
4:15
Jahaad Proctor missed layup, blocked by Montez Mathis
4:13
Defensive rebound by Shaq Carter
3:54
Shaq Carter missed layup
3:52
Defensive rebound by Matt Haarms
3:45
+2
Eric Hunter Jr. made jump shot, assist by Sasha Stefanovic
63-63
3:24
+2
Jacob Young made dunk
65-63
3:24
Shooting foul on Matt Haarms
3:24
+1
Jacob Young made free throw
66-63
3:09
Sasha Stefanovic missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:07
Defensive rebound by Geo Baker
2:45
Geo Baker missed layup
2:43
Offensive rebound by Geo Baker
2:40
Traveling violation turnover on Akwasi Yeboah
2:23
Eric Hunter Jr. missed layup
2:21
Defensive rebound by Shaq Carter
2:13
30-second timeout called
1:55
Jacob Young missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:53
Defensive rebound by Jahaad Proctor
1:37
+3
Sasha Stefanovic made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Eric Hunter Jr.
66-66
1:09
+3
Ron Harper Jr. made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Montez Mathis