Rutgers basketball dominates and somehow loses at Minnesota

Rutgers basketball somehow found a way to lose on Thursday at Minnesota.

A dominant performance from Cliff Omoruyi was not enough as Rutgers basketball collapsed late in a 75-74 loss at Minnesota.

With 54 seconds left, Rutgers was up 72-64. Then Minnesota rattled off an 11-2 run with a Jamison Battle 3-point shot at the buzzer enough to get the Golden Gophers an improbable win.

The 23 points from Omoruyi was the most scored by the Rutgers junior center this season. He also finished with 11 rebounds and four blocks.

Rutgers at one point held a 14-point lead in the second half but yet the Scarlet Knights struggled down the stretch, with key missed free throws from Cam Spencer and Caleb McConnell looming large in the loss.

With the loss, Rutgers is now 18-12 on the season and 10-9 in the Big Ten. A win would all but have ensured Rutgers basketball making the NCAA Tournament for a third straight season, a first in program history.

Now, they go into Sunday’s season finale against Northwestern very much needing a win. Minnesota is now 8-20 (2-16 Big Ten).

 

Clutch shooting and some strong defense within the game’s final two minutes lifted the Golden Gophers to the upset win.

With five seconds left in the game, McConnell made one of the two free throw attempts, staking Rutgers to a 74-72 lead heading into the game’s final possession.

Scroll down to check out the photos from Thursday night’s tough loss at Minnesota.