Rutgers defeats Washington 89-85 in OT, secures Big Ten Tournament spot

In a thrilling overtime matchup, Rutgers secured an 89-85 victory against Washington, largely due to the outstanding performance of freshman Dylan Harper, who scored 34 points. The win snapped a three-game losing streak and solidified Rutgers' position for a potential spot in the Big Ten Conference tournament, as they now sit 2.5 games ahead of Washington in the standings. Ace Bailey contributed 18 points and eight rebounds despite facing foul trouble, while Jeremiah Williams added 13 points. The teams combined for a poor shooting performance in overtime, but Rutgers capitalized on free throws, going 26-of-37 for the game. Rutgers' victory was marked by 17 lead changes and 10 ties, showcasing the competitive nature of the contest. The Scarlet Knights will look to build on this momentum as they head home to face USC next.