Harper’s 22 points drive Rutgers to OT win over Minnesota

    By
    @USLive
    -
    0
    0

    PISCATAWAY, N.J. — In a crucial matchup for Big Ten Tournament positioning, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights emerged victorious over the Minnesota Golden Gophers with a 75-67 win on Sunday, thanks to a standout performance by Dylan Harper, who netted 22 points, including six crucial points in overtime.
    The win propelled Rutgers to an 11th-place finish with a season record of 15-16 overall and 8-12 in conference play. On the other hand, Minnesota concluded the regular season tied in a complex five-way for 12th place with a 15-16 overall record and a 7-13 conference mark.
    After considering tiebreakers, Minnesota was handed the 12th seed, while Northwestern, USC, and Iowa followed in succession. Unfortunately, Nebraska, part of the 7-13 batch, failed to secure a spot in the 15-team tournament. This week, Rutgers is set to clash with USC, and Minnesota will confront Northwestern in the first round on Wednesday, hosted at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
    In an intense overtime, the Scarlet Knights established a commanding 71-63 edge with just one minute remaining, spearheaded by Harper’s active contribution with strategic layups and successful free throws.
    Minnesota’s Dawson Garcia was notable with 19 points, complemented by Lu’Cye Patterson’s 12-point input. Frank Mitchell added momentum from the bench with a strong double-double, scoring 12 points and securing 11 rebounds.
    For Rutgers, Dylan Grant chipped in 12 points, actively aiding the team’s efforts. Early in the game, Grant’s jumper, along with Harper’s contributions of a jumper and a three-pointer, powered Rutgers to a promising 33-25 advantage in the late first half, leading to a 38-29 halftime score.
    The Golden Gophers fought back in the second segment, launching a tenacious 10-0 rally that handed Minnesota the lead at 49-46 with about nine and a half minutes remaining.
    As the game continued, it witnessed six ties and several lead alterations until Garcia’s critical jumper for Minnesota brought the game level once more with mere seconds before end-time.