PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Tarik Francis scored 30 points off the bench, including seven consecutive points in overtime for Rutgers, and the Scarlet Knights beat Northwestern 77-75 on Sunday night.
Francis hit a jumper and then completed a three-pointer to give the Scarlet Knights their largest lead, 74-69, with 2:01 left in overtime. With 1 minute and 22 seconds left in the game, he made two free throws to lead 76-72.
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Nick Martinelli hit the first of two foul shots with nine seconds left to help Northwestern cut the deficit to one. Darren Buchanan Jr. hit one of two free throws for the Scarlet Knights and then blocked Jake West’s layup to preserve the win.
Francis was 10-for-22 from the field and 8-for-9 from 3-point range for Rutgers (9-8, 2-4 Big Ten Conference). Buchanan totaled 14 points and 10 rebounds, his first double-double of the season. Jamichael Davis scored 10 points, five rebounds and four assists before fouling out and leaving the game.
Martinelli scored a career-high 34 points and a season-high 12 rebounds, achieving his second double-double of the season for Northwestern University (8-8, 0-5), which has suffered three consecutive losses and four of its last five games. Substitute Arrinten Page had 14 points and 6 rebounds.
Martinelli scored 11 points in the first 10 minutes to help Northwestern lead 23-11. Rutgers trailed by 10 points with 3 minutes and 50 seconds left before halftime, but Buchanan went on a 10-2 run and scored 6 points. At halftime, the Scarlet Knights trailed 35-33.
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After Davis hit a three-pointer, Emmanuel Ogbolle dunked. With 15 minutes and 36 seconds left in the game, Rutgers took the lead for the first time, 42-41.
Next
Northwestern: Host No. 16 Illinois on Wednesday.
Rutgers: At Wisconsin on Saturday.
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