Rutgers hands No. 11 Wisconsin fourth straight loss
Feb 10, 2024, 02:50 PM ET
PISCATAWAY, N.J.– Jeremiah Williams scored 18 points and Rutgers utilized a suppressing defense to lead the whole game and hand No. 11 Wisconsin its 4th straight loss 78-56 on Saturday.The Scarlet Knights(13-10, 5-7 Big Ten)scored 15 points off 12 Wisconsin turnovers to secure their 3rd straight win. Noah Fernandes contributed 17 points, and Clifford Omoruyi included 13 points and 13 rebounds.Connor Essegian and AJ Storr scored 15 and 14 points, respectively, for Wisconsin (16-8, 8-5). The Badgers never got within single digits in the second half.The Scarlet Knights shot 59 %on threes(10 of 17). Williams had actually not played a college
basketball game in nearly 2 years (709 days)prior
to being triggered before Rutgers’game at Michigan on Feb. 3. The Iowa State transfer sustained a season-ending Achilles injury last year and after that had to remain 20 games this season for breaking the NCAA’s gambling policy.” I simply kept working and staying positive,”Williams stated.”It’s everything to play
on this phase.”Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell said Williams adds an intangible beyond his ability
to rating and distribute.”I enjoy his personality,”Pikiell stated.”He’s constantly smiling, he loves practice and he’s offered us a voice on the court. I’m appreciative he’s out there. “After the Badgers near 54-44 on a 6-0 burst, Rutgers countered with five straight points from Fernandes to move ahead
59-44 with 8:12 remaining.Rutgers took advantage of 11 first-half turnovers by Wisconsin to develop a 37-28 lead. It was the least points scored in the very first half for the Badgers in
a Huge Ten game this season.”They [Rutgers] were more aggressive than we were,” Wisconsin coach Greg Gard stated.”We were method to tentative.
We didn’t react up and down the lineup. I’m disappointed how we responded to the pressure. That’s the greatest thing.”POLL RAMIFICATIONS Wisconsin will more than likely drop in the poll after consecutive losses by 8 points to Nebraska in overtime, 6 points to No. 2 Purdue
, 4 points to Michigan and
now 22 indicate Rutgers.BIG PHOTO Wisconsin: Part of the Badgers’spiral is their inability to convert 3-pointers. They were just 5-of-21 against Rutgers after going 5-of-19 against Michigan and 3-of-19 versus
Purdue.Rutgers: The Scarlet
Knights have been buoyed by the return of Williams, who was out since of injury and NCAA eligibility. In his first two games prior to Saturday, both Rutgers wins, he balanced 12 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 42.9%from the field. His development has provided stability to a roster that has actually been afflicted by offseason transfers and injuries.UP NEXT Wisconsin: Hosts Ohio State on Tuesday night.Rutgers: Hosts Northwestern on Thursday.