Late three-pointer sends Rutgers past No. 1 Purdue again, 65-64

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Cam Spencer’s3-pointer with 13.3 seconds left gave Rutgers the lead and No. 1Purdue failed to convert on its final two chances Monday night asthe Scarlet Knights held on for a shocking 65-64 road victory.

It’s the second straight year coach Steve Pikiell’s team hasupset top-ranked Purdue. Last year, the Scarlet Knights needed ahalf-court buzzer-beater on its home court to pull off the school’sfirst win over a No. 1 ranked team.

This time Rutgers (10-4, 2-1 Big Ten) did it in front of MackeyArena’s 49th consecutive sellout crowd.

Spencer finished with 14 points while Paul Mulcahy had 16points, eight rebounds and six assists.

The Boilermakers (13-1, 2-1) were led by Zach Edey who overcameearly foul trouble to finish with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Itjust wasn’t enough to close out an incredible second-half rallyfrom a 10-point deficit. New Mexico is now the last remainingunbeaten team in Division I.

Rutgers controlled the game most of the night, taking a 34-24halftime lead and fending off the Boilermakers as they chargedback. Purdue tied the score at 52, then finally took the lead onBrandon Newman’s tie-breaking 3-pointer with 4:45 to play.

Mulcahy answered with the Scarlet Knights’ next 10 points, whichgave Rutgers a 62-57 lead with 2:22 to play. Purdue answered withfour straight to make it 62-61 and when Mulcahy missed a shortjumper with 54 seconds to go, Edey grabbed the rebound, Purduecalled timeout and freshman Fletcher Loyer made the go-ahead 3 with29.8 seconds left.

But Spencer made his 3 after another timeout then watched Newmanmiss a 3. And after Rutgers turned it over on an inbound play with0.4 seconds to go, the Boilermakers couldn’t get the ball to Edeyfor a final shot.

BIG PICTURE

Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights have hit incredible heights undercoach Pikiell. They’ve beaten 14 ranked opponents, upset a No. 1team for the first time in school history and now they’ve done itagain. Clearly, the Scarlet Knights seem bound to make a schoolrecord third straight NCAA Tournament.

Purdue: Coach Matt Painter’s team was poised to match the beststart in school history, but Rutgers’ suffocating defense got inthe way again. The Boilermakers had won 34 in a row over unrankedfoes at home or on neutral courts. But this one was neither easynor pretty and they fell just short.

UP NEXT

Rutgers: Returns home Thursday against Maryland.

Purdue: Faces a major road test Thursday at No. 24 OhioState.