Rutgers loses NIT game in dramatic fashion after governor chides NCAA for leaving team out of tournament
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College basketball fans voiced support for Rutgers when the team was left out of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament but the Scarlet Knights failed to live up to the high expectations on Tuesday.
Hofstra upset Rutgers in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) 88-86 in overtime after the Scarlet Knights blew a five-point lead with 30 seconds left in regulation. Hofstra’s Tyler Thomas made a three-pointer to bring the game within two and Nelson Boachie-Yiadom hit the game-tying shot to send the game into overtime.
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Nelson Boachie-Yiadom and German Plotnikov of the Hofstra Pride celebrate after defeating the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 88-86 in overtime at Jersey Mike's Arena on March 14, 2023, in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
In overtime, Rutgers’ Derek Simpson made a layup to tie the game with 32 seconds left. Thomas then came down and made a jumper to go up two points with 10 seconds remaining. Hofstra would hold off the Scarlet Knights’ last-ditch effort.
Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell thanked his seniors for showing up and playing their hearts out in a hard-fought game.
"I was worried (after Selection Sunday) and they came ready to play," he said, via My Central Jersey. "It was a great college basketball game, I know we didn’t win, I understand that, but for these guys, a huge thank you."
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Head coach Steve Pikiell of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights questions a call during the NIT tournament game against the Hofstra Pride on March 14, 2023, in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Rich