Rutgers rallies in the second half to beat Northwestern 63-60 for fourth straight victory

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) Jeremiah Williams scored 15 points, Clifford Omoruyi had nine points, nine rebounds and four blocks, and Rutgers rallied from an 11-point, second-half deficit to beat Northwestern 63-60 on Thursday night for its fourth straight victory.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) Jeremiah Williams scored 15 points, Clifford Omoruyi had nine points, nine rebounds and four blocks, and Rutgers rallied from an 11-point, second-half deficit to beat Northwestern 63-60 on Thursday night for its fourth straight victory.

Derek Simpson made a jumper with 5:18 remaining in the second half, following an offensive rebound, to give Rutgers a 52-51 lead, its first since it led 5-4. The Scarlet Knights extended it to 56-51 after a 12-0 run as Northwestern went scoreless for six-plus minutes.

Northwestern guard Brooks Barnhizer made his first 3-pointer of the game with 1:20 left to tie it at 58-all, but Aundre Hyatt answered with a wide open 3-pointer at the other end.

After two Northwestern free throws, Rutgers dribbled down the clock before Williams got into the lane and got a friendly bounce for a three-point lead with 22.2 seconds left. Northwestern had two chances at a tying 3-pointer, but Barnhizer hit the front of the rim and Boo Buie was well short on a contested 3-pointer before the buzzer.

Jamichael Davis added 11 points and Hyatt scored 10 for Rutgers (14-10, 6-7 Big Ten).

Buie finished with 27 points and six 3-pointers for Northwestern (17-8, 8-6). Barnhizer had 11 points and 13 rebounds. Ryan Langborg was ejected from the game in the first half after being called for a Flagrant 2.

Buie made two 3-pointers in the opening three minutes of the second half to extend Northwestern’s lead to 42-31. Rutgers scored the next 10 points and tied it at 44-all on Omoruyi’s three-point play.

Rutgers plays at Minnesota on Sunday. Northwestern continues its road trip on Sunday against Indiana.

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