PISCATAWAY, N.J.– Ron Harper Jr. hit a buzzer-beater from just within half court docket, and Rutgers stunned Purdue in its first-ever leisure since the nations No. 1 workforce, effective 70-68 on Thursday evening.
Harper finished with 30 factors on 10-of-15 capturing and 10 rebounds for the Scarlet Knights, a do-it-all performance that concluded with most likely the most gorgeous shot of the faculty hoops season so far. Rutgers (5-4, 1-1 Massive Ten) beat the top-ranked workforce for the main time in program historical past.
Purdue had gone forward 68-67 on a layup by Trevion Williams with Four seconds left. With no timeouts, Rutgers inbounded the ball to Harper, who dribbled throughout the half-court line and let it fly from the big “R” symbol. The ball went by method of as time ended, and Rutgers fans stormed the court docket.
5mJoe Lunardi
” I huddled these men up, and I am like, God forbid they ranking, offer me the ball, and I will ship them house,” mentioned Harper, a 6-foot-6 elder who got here in balancing 14. Harper struck a turnaround jumper to position Rutgers forward 67-66, its very first lead because early within the 2nd half.
” I huddled these men up, and I am like, God forbid they rating, give me the ball, and I will ship them dwelling,” mentioned Harper, a 6-foot-6 senior citizen who got here in averaging 14. 8 elements per entertainment. “Mawot discovered me shortly and I utilized to be capable of lower up the court docket in like 3 seconds and I threw one up.”
Williams scored 21 factors off the bench for Purdue (8-1, 1-1 Massive Ten), which was an unanimous No. 1 on todays AP Prime 25, this systems very first time atop the poll. Its keep might be temporary.
” While you go on the highway, you got ta be 10 aspects higher than any individual, as an outcome of in case you permit it to be shut, loopy issues can occur,” Purdue coach Matt Painter discussed. “Clearly, that was an once-in-a-lifetime shot, nevertheless we enabled it to be shut.”
Ron Harper Jr.s buzzer-beater topped a wild end by which the lead customized 3 times within the last 13.1 seconds. Image by Wealthy Schultz/Getty PhotographsThe lead customized fingers 3 times within the last 13.1 seconds. Harper hit a turnaround jumper to put Rutgers forward 67-66, its very first lead since early within the 2nd half.
” We simply saved hanging round, combating,” Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell mentioned. “It did not seem it was going our methods a number of celebrations therefore they just persevered and made substantial carries out and made big stops.”
Purdue had a 10-point lead with Eight minutes left earlier than Rutgers began chipping away.
Caleb McConnell made a turnaround jumper within the paint to get Rutgers inside 65-63 with 2:07 remaining, and Mawot Mag pulled Rutgers inside one on a dunk off a cross from Harper with 1:05 left.
McConnell had 12 elements, 5 rebounds and 5 helps for Rutgers. Jaden Ivey scored 15 aspects for Purdue.
ILLNESS
Rutgers had a variety of players ill today with what Pikiell described since the flu, together with senior captain Geo Baker, who was set to return from a hamstring damage after lacking 4 video games.
” Geo practiced yesterday,” Pikiell discussed. “He got the flu today and might not play.”
The Rutgers beginning 5 logged heavy minutes, and the Scarlet Knights gotten solely 5 aspects from their reserves.
BROAD VIEW
Purdue had actually gone forward 68-67 on a layup by Trevion Williams with Four seconds left. With no timeouts, Rutgers inbounded the ball to Harper, who dribbled throughout the half-court line and let it fly from the big “R” emblem. The ball went by method of as time ended, and Rutgers fans stormed the court docket.
Purdue: The Boilermakers have been off to a various tough start below coach Matt Painter, going 8-Zero for the third time below his tutelage and watching out like a Massive Ten title competitor. They will must regroup after crumbling below the scrutiny of the No. 1 ranking.
Rutgers: After making the NCAA match for the primary time in 30 years final season, the Scarlet Knights had a hard begin to the 2021-22 marketing campaign, with losses at UMass and Massive East bottom-feeder DePaul, in addition to at dwelling to Lafayette. Now they know they will beat anyone.
UP NEXT
Purdue: Hosts North Carolina State on Sunday.
Rutgers: At rival No. 23 Seton Corridor on Sunday.
