As bad as things were the other night against Providence, they were that much better today against No. 22/23 Louisville. Quincy Doubly’s 12 points led an RU team that shot 58% from the floor in the first half. The Knights jumped out to a 16-point lead at one point and held on to an 11-point margin at the break, 39-28. Louisville shot just 31% in the first half.
The Cardinals came out in the second half and immediately narrowed the gap to just 5 points as RU went 0-7 to start the second half. Anthony Farmer made a jumper with 14:17 to play and end that futility string. With 11 minutes to go, RU was still only 1 for 11 from the floor. Thankfully they stepped up their defense and continued to hold on to a 9-point lead. While Louisville continued to shoot just 30% from the field, RU turned the ball over time and again.
RU’s shooting remained cold from the field as the Cardinals chopped away at the RU lead until, with 8:03 remaining, they had reduced it to just 2 points with a 9-2 run. And, after trading a few baskets, it was down to just 1-point with 5:48 on the clock. Almost exactly a minute later, Louisville took the lead 52-51 for the first time since early in the first half. RU took the lead back with two free throws by Ollie Bailey but gave it back on free throws. From there it was back and forth over and over again. RU would take a lead, and Louisville would tie or go ahead. Then RU would take the lead or tie. Tied at 56 with three minutes to go, RU went on a 9-0 run to end the game. The Scarlet Knights win 65-56 when Louisville fails to score in the final 3:02.
Quincy Douby had a tougher second half and ended with just 19 points. (He is averaging 23 per game.) JR Inman had 13 points and Ollie Bailey came off the bench to add 12 for the Knights. RU ended the game with 43% shooting from the field, 31% from 3-point range and 84% (16-19) from the stripe.
Both teams were fighting for a slot in the Big East Tournament. Both were tied in the Big East standings with Providence at 2-4 going into today’s play. (Providence fell to No. 1 Connecticut 76-62.)
The full story and stats can be found here.
Rutgers improves to 13-7, 3-4 in the Big East. Louisville falls to 14-6, 2-5 in the Big East.
The Scarlet Knights hit the road to play at Syracuse Wednesday night at 7 PM.
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