Rutgers star player Comeback on the…
When the final buzzer sounded, Rutgers was down Ohio State by as much as 17 points and attempted an amazing comeback, but they were unable to win 76-72.
Rutgers fell to 8-5 overall and 0-2 in Big Ten play. Head coach Steve Pikiell commented, “I’m proud of our effort but it wasn’t enough,” in his postgame remarks.
Derek Simpson, a sophomore, led the pace for RU with 23 points. With 15.4 seconds remaining, he made a three-pointer to get the Scarlet Knights within two points, but Ohio State sealed the victory at the free-throw line.
After trailing Ohio State by 13 points at the half, Rutgers gradually began to rally in the second half. With 10:19 remaining, Aundre Hyatt’s three-pointer reduced the Buckeyes’ lead to seven points, which marked a tipping point.
A few minutes afterward, Simpson took control, making two jumpers and a free throw, and with 3:20 remaining, Mowat Mag made a jumper that cut the Ohio State advantage to just 67-66.Nevertheless, Roddy Gayle Jr.’s three-pointer and Evan Mahaffey’s own jumper extended the Buckeye lead back to six points, 72-66.Rutgers had a final-quarter opportunity, but their hopes of pulling off the shock were dashed by two three-pointers that Simpson, Mag, and Noah Fernandes missed.
