Northwestern lost to Rutgers 63-60

PISCATAWAY, NJ — Jeremiah Williams scored 15 points, Clifford Omoruyi had 9 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks and Rutgers rallied from an 11-point second-half deficit to beat Northwestern 63-60 on Thursday night for its fourth straight win.

Derek Simpson made a shot off an offensive rebound with 5 minutes, 18 seconds left in the second half to give Rutgers a 52-51 lead for the first time since taking a 5-4 lead. While the Scarlet Knights increased the score to 56-51 after a 12-0 run, Northwestern did not score for more than six minutes.

While Northwestern guard Brooks Barnhizer made the first three-pointer to bring the score to 58 with 1:20 left in the game, Aundre Hyatt answered with a wide-open three-pointer from the opposite wing.

After two Northwestern free throws, Rutgers drove the ball before Williams entered the lane and took a three-point lead with 22.2 seconds left. Northwestern had two chances on the tying three-pointer, but Barnhizer shot from in front of the basket and Boo Buie was well behind on a contested three-pointer before the buzzer.

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

Buie finished the game with 27 points and six three-pointers for Northwestern (17-8, 8-6). Barnhizer had 11 points and 13 rebounds. Ryan Langborg was subbed off in the first half following a Flagrant 2 call.

In the first three minutes of the second half, Buie hit two 3-pointers to extend Northwestern’s lead to 42-31. Rutgers scored the next 10 points and tied the score at 44 on a three-point play by Omoruyi.

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