Rutgers hopes to secure its first winning streak of the calendar year Wednesday when the Scarlet Knights visit Penn State in University Park, Pa.
The Scarlet Knights (10-15, 3-11 Big Ten) have not won back-to-back games since defeating Penn and Delaware State in late December. In fact, they had not even won a game in regulation since then, just a pair of overtime victories in January before topping visiting Maryland 68-57 on Sunday.
“When you’re young and working your tail off and not getting rewarded, it’s huge to finally break through,” said Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell, whose team had lost its previous seven games.
In his postgame press conference, Pikiell mentioned energy and effort multiple times as the key to his team’s success.
“We’ve just got to keep practicing with heart and keep getting better,” he said.
Tariq Francis shot just 4 of 13 from the field against Maryland but led the team with 21 points. He was 12 of 13 from the free-throw line on Sunday and is shooting a sizzling 89.7% from the stripe on the season.
Penn State (11-15, 2-13) certainly will keep a close eye on Francis after allowing Oregon to shoot 50% (24 of 48) from the field and 51.9% (14 of 27) from 3-point range in Saturday’s 83-72 road defeat.
Kayden Mingo led the Nittany Lions with 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting. Josh Reed contributed 13 points for Penn State, which is just 3-14 since an 8-1 start.
“I just thought we were sensitive at times, and I’ve used that with our guys. If a play doesn’t go your way, it’s how you respond, not how you react,” Penn State coach Mike Rhoades said. “Reacting doesn’t have you ready for the next play.”
Freddie Dilione V (4 of 11) and Reed (2 of 7) are both aiming to rebound from poor shooting nights against the Ducks.
This is the teams’ first of two meetings this season. The Nittany Lions and Scarlet Knights will also square off March 8 in Piscataway, N.J., in both teams’ regular-season finale.
