ABSTRACT:

Rutgers 97 Villanova 87

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – This was the sort of game Rutgers had grown famous – infamous? – for losing.

The Scarlet Knights were playing Villanova, a team they hadn’t beaten since joining the Big East. Their starting center was hurt, his inconsistent backup saddled with foul trouble and Villanova’s top shooter had used a career day to slice a 19-point lead down to a single bucket.

But this time Rutgers held its ground. This time, unlike against West Virginia and St. John’s, the Scarlet Knights held on to thier big lead. This time, Rutgers held yesterday on for a 97-87 win over the Wildcats in front of a sellout crowd of 8,507 at the RAC.

RU held ‘Nova at arm’s length the rest of the way.