Rutgers Falls to No. 9 Alabama in Thrilling Tournament Clash
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – The Rutgers Scarlet Knights faced a fierce challenge on Wednesday night, ultimately succumbing to No. 9 Alabama in a close 95-90 battle during the second round of the inaugural Players Era Tournament. The Scarlet Knights, coming off an intense 85-84 overtime win against Notre Dame just hours earlier, showcased impressive resilience despite the rapid turnaround.
Freshman sensation Dylan Harper continued to shine for Rutgers, leading the team with another stellar performance, scoring 37 points after his remarkable 36-point outing against Notre Dame. Harper, now averaging 24.5 points per game, became the first Rutgers freshman since 2006 to record back-to-back games of 30 points or more, and the first in two decades to reach 35 points in consecutive games.
After a tightly contested first half, which ended at a tie of 41-41, Alabama surged ahead in the second half, powered by guard Mark Sears, who contributed 24 points. Despite trailing by as much as eight points later in the game, Rutgers fought back, reducing the deficit to just one point with under three minutes left but was unable to reclaim the lead.
Joining Harper in the scoring effort, Ace Bailey added 22 points, contributing to a combined total of 59 points between them. However, Rutgers struggled on the boards, losing the rebounding battle 43-31, and faced difficulties from beyond the arc.
With this loss, Rutgers will compete against San Diego State University in the third place match-up on Saturday. Coach Steve Pikiell emphasized the growth and potential of his youthful squad, stating they demonstrated they could compete with elite teams. The matchup against Alabama highlighted the team’s strengths while pinpointing areas for improvement, setting the stage for further development as the season progresses.
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Photo credit scarletknights.com