Following Monday night, behind a huge win over UCLA shocking many, the Scarlet Knights take care of business this past Thursday on the road against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, 85-82. Rutgers continues to build on that momentum, ultimately securing their first road victory of the season. This appeared to be another team effort for the Scarlet Knights.
Freshman Dylan Harper, Dylan Grant, and Ace Bailey all combined for 60 points out of Rutgers 85. The bench contributed the final 23, however these are signs of progression and growth. Prior to this game, the bench was struggling to find offense outside of the free-throw line, yet they've managed to find their rhythm and are looking to build off that moving forward. The Scarlet Knights improve to 10-8 (3-4 in conference play) while picking up its first Quad 1 win of the season. The Cornhuskers fall to 12-5 (2-4).Rutgers snapped Nebraska's 20-game win streak at Pinnacle Bank Arena and was the first Big Ten team to win at the venue since Feb. 28, 2023. RU has won four of the past six matchups against Nebraska.
Harper scored 14 of his 21 points in the second half including multiple clutch buckets down the stretch by slicing through Nebraska's double-teams. This was his first 20-point game since Dec. 21 after scoring 20+ points in 10 of the first 12 games. It marked the third time this season Harper and Bailey each scored 20+ points in the same game (Alabama, Seton Hall) and the first time since Dec. 14.
Bailey has joined one of eight players that have achieved this feat. Surprisingly seven of the eight have played numerous seasons in the NBA, and six were first-round draft picks. Throughout the game, the Scarlet Knights and Cornhuskers traded leads 13 times.
He secured his sixth double-double (24 points, 11 rebounds, and three steals), however his defensive effort is what stood out the most. One of his three steals came in the final 30 seconds of the game to help propel the victory. Bailey is the first freshman to reach this statline since Duke's Jalen Johnson in 2021. It has only been accomplished eight times since 2005 and never in a Big Ten game in the past 20 seasons.
The road trip continues next Monday, as the Scarlet Knights will take the drive across Pennsylvania to Penn State. That game is followed by a marquee matchup at Madison Square Garden, as RU will host No. 12/12 Michigan State at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, January 25.