Caleb McConnell collected 16 points and 10 rebounds as host Rutgers scored 17 straight points midway through the second half and pulled away for a 63-48 victory over No.
10 Indiana on Saturday afternoon in Piscataway, N.J., in the Big Ten opener for both teams.In his third game back from a knee injury, McConnell made 4 of 12 shots, including the 3-pointer that sparked the decisive run, and also made six free throws to help Rutgers (6-2, 1-0 Big Ten) beat Indiana for the sixth straight time and eighth time in 11 meetings under coach Steve Pikiell.
The Scarlet Knights improved to 10-3 at home against ranked teams since the start of the 2019-20 season.Derek Simpson added 10 of his 14 points in the decisive run, hitting two layups, a mid-range jumper, a 3-pointer and a free throw as Rutgers turned a 37-35 deficit with 13:13 remaining into a 15-point lead a little over five minutes later.
He then added an open 3-pointer from the top of the key with 2:25 left to make it 59-46 and essentially seal it.Aundre Hyatt chipped in 11 for Rutgers, which survived shooting 36.7 per cent and a quiet showing from Clifford Omoruyi.