Rutgers Men's Basketball Loses to St. John's in Four Overtime Game at Madison Square Garden

Senior guard Tariq Francis led Rutgers with 24 points and six rebounds over 46 minutes. Sophomore Christian Gurdak contributed 20 points and a game-high 15 rebounds, achieving a double-double by shooting 8-of-16 from the field and perfecting 4-of-4 at the free-throw line. Additional contributions came from sophomore Lino Mark with 14 points, sixth-year forward Darren Buchanan Jr. with 13 points and nine rebounds, and both junior Darin Smith Jr. and fifth-year RaSheed Jones who added 11 points each.

Associate head coach Brandin Knight expressed that despite the loss, there were positive moments for the team but emphasized the need for improved execution in crucial moments. Francis noted the team’s potential when playing together and trusting each other, though they took some challenging shots in the second half.

Rutgers took control early, shooting 56.7 percent (17-of-30) in the first half, concluding with a 10-0 run that led to a 46-28 halftime advantage. Francis had 13 points in that half, while Gurdak and Jones provided key scoring off the bench.

St. John's came back strong in the second half, quickly narrowing the gap with a 16-4 run. The game's momentum shifted frequently, with Smith’s late three-pointer tying the game at 69 before Buchanan's last-second layup attempt sent it into overtime.

In the first overtime, free throws from Smith and Mark gave Rutgers a 74-71 lead, but a three-pointer by Ellis leveled the score. Despite a brief lead from Francis with a jumper, St. John's tied it again, forcing a second overtime.

The second overtime featured several ties, and both teams had opportunities to take control, but St. John's held on strong, eventually forcing a third overtime. In the third session, Francis’s layup gave Rutgers a 94-92 lead, though St. John's answered with a hook shot to again tie the score.

In the fourth overtime, Smith’s jumper put Rutgers ahead, but St. John's responded with six consecutive points, clinching the game with strong free-throw shooting in the final minutes. Rutgers struggled with three-point shooting, finishing at 4-of-21.

Key statistics reveal that Rutgers outrebounded St. John's 58-51, with notable performances from Gurdak (15 rebounds) and Buchanan (9 rebounds). St. John's duo of Hall and Jackson each scored 24 points, with Ellis contributing 13 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds in their 56-minute efforts.

Knight acknowledged St. John's resilience and the challenges posed by their physical play, especially in terms of rebounding. The coach reflected on the game, emphasizing the need for better execution and decision-making in the future as the team continues to grow.