Rutgers tops No. 14 Wisconsin, third win in row over top-25 team

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Rutgers understands it must prove it can beat quality teams on the road to get back into consideration for the NCAA Tournament.

The Scarlet Knights took a giant step in that direction Saturday by winning at Wisconsin for the first time and posting their third straight victory over a ranked opponent. Ron Harper Jr. scored 21 points and Rutgers went on a late 11-0 run in a 73-65 victory over the 14th-ranked Badgers.

“It was huge,” Harper said. “I told the guys it’s the same 40 minutes of basketball we’re playing if we were playing in New Jersey. The game is dependent on us. It’s not dependent on the crowd. We love our home-court advantage, but we’re the dudes with the jerseys on. We’ve got to make plays.”

The Scarlet Knights (15-9, 9-5 Big Ten) knocked off then-No. 13 Michigan State 84-63 a week ago Saturday and No. 16 Ohio State 66-64 on Wednesday.

This marks the first time in program history they’ve beaten a Top 25 team in three consecutive games. Of course, part of that is due to a quirk in the schedule enabling Rutgers to face a ranked team in three straight games. The last time Rutgers won three straight matchups with Top 25 foes was back in the 2001-02 season.

“I think it shows growth, toughness, togetherness — stuff we’ve been working on,” said Paul Mulcahy, who scored 18 points and made a 3-pointer that put Rutgers ahead for good. “Guys are playing for each other and playing hard 40 minutes. I’m proud of everybody.”

Wisconsin (19-5, 10-4) dropped a half-game behind No. 13 Illinois (17-6, 10-3) in the Big Ten standings. Illinois hosts Northwestern on Sunday.

Rutgers has a 4-1 record against Top 25 teams this season and owns four wins over ranked Big Ten teams for the first time ever. Rutgers