Quick thoughts on a 74-63 loss at Rutgers:
How it happened: In dire need of a win, Indiana delivered a dud in Piscataway Wednesday night. The Hoosiers started strong and took a 23-8 lead in the first half and had the opportunity to extend it to 17 when Khristian Lander looked a point to the edge. Lander missed it, however, and Geo Baker hit a three-pointer on the other side to make a 12-point game. That 3 of the Scarlet Knights were the first of seven makes up for the rest of the half, as Rutgers wiped out the 15-point cushion and passed at halftime with a four-point lead. Rutgers started the game 0-of-7 from 3, but knocked down seven of his last eight attempts from distance in the first half.
The momentum that Rutgers built up in the first half transferred to the second. Archie Miller had to use a timeout quickly as the Scarlet Knights extended the lead to seven at 40-33 with 18:49 to play. The Hoosiers never got within six the rest of the time as Rutgers extended the lead to the point from 5:49 to 20. At various points in the second half, it appears the Hoosiers conceded for the first time this season. There was no fighting. The loss, the ninth in Indiana’s conference, damages the program’s hopes of an NCAA tournament in a season where it was the basic expectation.
Outstanding: Trayce Jackson-Davis scored a team high of 21 points and Al Durham Jr. added 20 points in the loss.
Striking statistics: After allowing just eight points in the first 12:02, Indiana handed 66 points to Rutgers over the 27:58 final.
Final IU Individual Statistics:
Final tempo-free stats:
Filed to: Rutgers Scarlet Knights