Wildcats Outlast Rutgers, 65-57

1/18/2019 8:27:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Post-Game Notes (PDF)Postgame Presser: Coach Collins Postgame: Dererk Pardon

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Northwestern handled Rutgers on Friday evening, outlasting the Scarlet Knights, 65-57, at the Rutgers Athletic Center.

Senior center Dererk Pardon led all Wildcats in the defensive battle with 17 points coming on a six-of-nine clip. Graduate student guard Ryan Taylor made four three-pointers and finished with 14 points.

The Scarlet Knights became the ninth major conference opponent that Northwestern has held below their season scoring average coming into the game. RU was averaging 67.5 points per game entering the contest.

Northwestern only allowed Rutgers to convert four three-point attempts, marking the 12th time in the last 13 games that NU has limited their opposition to five or fewer three-pointers. Northwestern came into the game with the 16th-best three-point defense mark in the nation.

On the offensive side, NU shot 41 percent (9-of-22) from beyond the arc, their second-best in conference play.

The Wildcats shot 54 percent in the first half while limiting the Scarlet Knights to a 43 percent clip. NU also contributed five threes on 12 attempts and posted three blocks, compared to RU's one rejection.

Pardon was a perfect six-for-six in the first half, rounding out the first stanza with 12 points. He also had four rebounds, a block, and a steal.

In the second half, sophomore guard Anthony Gaines added a team-best nine points, including a three-pointer.

Northwestern improved to 10-2 all-time against the Scarlet Knights and 4-1 all-time at the RAC.

The Wildcats are back in action on Tuesday against No. 25 Indiana. The conference matchup will be at the new Welsh-Ryan Arena and will tip off at 8 p.m. CT.

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