Rutgers falls 104-99 to St. John’s in four overtimes at Madison Square Garden
Rutgers men’s basketball dropped a 104-99 decision to St. John’s on Sunday after four overtimes at Madison Square Garden, 247 Sports reported. The exhibition matchup showcased an 18-point halftime advantage for the Scarlet Knights before a second-half surge by the Red Storm forced an extended finish.
The contest offered an early evaluation of Steve Pikiell’s roster against top-tier Big East competition. St. John’s entered the matchup projected as an NCAA Tournament team after being picked to finish second in the annual coaches poll, according to 247 Sports.
Rutgers builds commanding halftime advantage before second-half collapse
Rutgers controlled the opening 20 minutes by shooting 57% from the field and building a 46-28 lead. Guard Tariq Francis scored 13 of his team-high 24 points before halftime, while center Christian Gurdak established an interior presence against the Red Storm frontcourt. The momentum shifted immediately after the break. St. John’s opened the second half with a 16-0 run over the next 5:40, narrowing the deficit to 48-44. Rutgers went nearly six minutes without a field goal as the Red Storm eventually claimed a 54-52 lead with 11:13 remaining in regulation. Darin Smith Jr. hit a three-pointer with 57 seconds left to tie the game at 69-69. Darren Buchanan Jr. missed a potential game-winning layup in the closing seconds of regulation, sending the exhibition into overtime tied.
Four overtimes test depth and stamina at Madison Square Garden
Neither team separated through four extra periods of play. Francis finished with 24 points and six rebounds, while Gurdak recorded 20 points and 14 rebounds for Rutgers. Lino Mark added 14 points, six rebounds, and four assists, and Buchanan contributed 13 points and nine rebounds. St. John’s secured the 104-99 victory in the final minute of the fourth overtime after Buchanan missed a shot that would have tied the score at 100-100 with 23 seconds left.
Regular season opens against New Haven on November 6
Rutgers concluded its exhibition schedule with the result against St. John’s, following a 77-75 loss to Villanova on the previous Sunday at Jersey Mike’s Arena. The Scarlet Knights open the regular season on Nov. 6 against New Haven at Jersey Mike’s Arena, according to 247 Sports.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Rutgers and St. John’s exhibition
How many points did Tariq Francis score against St. John’s?
Tariq Francis led Rutgers with 24 points and grabbed six rebounds during the four-overtime exhibition. He scored 13 of those points in the first half alone.
What was the halftime score of the exhibition game?
Rutgers held a 46-28 lead over St. John’s at halftime after shooting 57 percent from the floor in the opening 20 minutes.
Who is Rutgers playing in their next game?
Rutgers opens the regular season against New Haven on Nov. 6 at Jersey Mike’s Arena, as 247 Sports reported there are no more exhibition games scheduled.
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