Rutgers University moved to 12-18 after a 91-87 road loss to Michigan State University, which went to 25-5, at Jack Breslin Students Events Center on 8:00 PM EDT.
First half
Rutgers trailed 31-30 at halftime after scoring 30 points in the opening half while the Spartans put up 31.
The Knights hit 10 threes on 56 percent shooting from deep in the game, and that perimeter shot-making kept the margin tight in a half with 3 ties and 6 lead changes.
Tariq Francis produced 25 points with 5 assists and 3 steals for Rutgers, and his 80 percent three-point rate anchored Rutgers shot creation against State’s 4 steals.
Second half
Rutgers scored 57 points in the second half, and the Knights finished at 48 percent from the field with 15 made free throws on 79 percent at the line.
Michigan State answered with 60 second-half points and finished at 58 percent shooting, and the Green and White generated 46 points in the paint on 74 percent conversion on paint attempts.
State also earned 30 free throw attempts and made 25 at 83 percent, and that volume contrasted with Rutgers’ 19 attempts.
Emmanuel Ogbole added 13 points on 86 percent shooting for Rutgers, while
Lino Mark scored 14 points with 4 assists as Rutgers logged 16 assists.
The Spartans’ interior protection showed up in 7 blocks, and State’s 38-21 rebound edge included 10 offensive boards that led to 13 second-chance points.
Rutgers forced 15 turnovers and turned them into 15 points off turnovers, but Michigan State’s biggest lead reached 19 and State’s fast break points totaled 24.
Overtime
Rutgers got 23 bench points and 20 fast break points in the game, but Michigan State’s efficiency mark of 115 and true shooting of 69 percent secured the extra-session finish.
The Knights committed 8 turnovers and drew 10 fouls, yet the Spartans’ 19 assists and 62 effective field goal percent supported the late-game shot profile.
This
Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs
Michigan State Spartans match summary reflects a Rutgers Scarlet Knights full-time result defined by 34 paint points for Rutgers and 46 for State, and the post game analysis points to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Michigan State Spartans result analysis hinging on rebounds and free throw volume.
Rutgers is scheduled to host the Penn State Nittany Lions at Jersey Mike's Arena in Piscataway, New Jersey on 12:00 PM EDT on 2026-03-08, with the broadcast listed on BTN.
Run it back with the game recap, drop the key takeaway, and share this article with other Rutgers fans.
