Rutgers needs overtime to hold off Lehigh 73-70
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) - Cliff Omoruyi had 16 points with nine rebounds and Ron Harper Jr. had 14 points with 10 rebounds to lead Rutgers past Lehigh 73-70 in overtime in a season opener on Wednesday night.
Omoruyi had a pair of dunks in overtime, one coming on Rutgers´ first possession to put the Scarlet Knights up 65-63, and they never looked back.
Lehigh led by as many as seven, 36-29, late in the first half. Jake Betlow made a 3-pointer assisted by Marques Wilson.
Rutgers went into the half getting booed off their home court, trailing 36-31.
Paul Mulcahy made a layup at 18:17 to make it 37-37. Rutgers would retake the lead at 41-40 on a Geo Baker jumper at 16:41. It was the Scarlet Knight´s first lead since 10-9 early in the first half, and they would not trail until Lehigh took the lead, 62-61, on a layup by Ben Knotsman with 1:34 remaining.
Baker would tie the game at 63 on a stepback jumper. He missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer on an isolation play to send the game to overtime.
Lehigh was led by Wilson, who had a game-high 21 points.
UNVEILING
Rutgers unveiled its 2021 Men´s Basketball NCAA Tournament appearance banner in front of a sold-out crowd at Jersey Mike´s Arena. Last year´s tournament appearance was Rutgers´ first in 30 years, and the win vs. Clemson in the first round was the first win in the tournament since 1983.
UP NEXT:
Lehigh: Hosts NJIT on Saturday
Rutgers: Hosts Merrimack on Saturday
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