PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Freshman guard Derek Simpson scored 10 straight points in a game-deciding run and Rutgers beat No. 10 Indiana for the sixth time in a row, 63-48 on Saturday.
Caleb McConnell had 16 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Scarlet Knights (6-2, 1-0 Big Ten). Simpson finished with 14, all in the second half.
Miller Kopp scored a season-high 21 points for Indiana (7-1, 0-1). Star forward Trayce Jackson-Davis was held to 13 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out late. The rest of the team had 14 points.
The win was coach Steve Pikiell's 14th over a ranked team since taking over a struggling Rutgers' program in 2016-17. As usual, defense was at the center of its win.
The Hoosiers' point total was a season-low and it came in a game where they shot 30.4%. They came into the conference opener averaging 87.1 points and were coming off a win over North Carolina.
Indiana played poorly in the first half, falling behind 31-24. The Hoosiers opened the final 20 minutes with a 13-4 spurt, taking two-point leads on baskets by Xavier Johnson and Kopp (37-35).
McConnell hit a 3-pointer to put Rutgers ahead for good and then Simpson took over, hitting a layup, a jumper, a 3-pointer and a big scoop shot for a 47-37 lead. His final point in the run came when Johnson hit him in the face in the offensive zone and a flagrant foul was eventually called. He made 1 of 2 free throws.
Rutgers led by as many as 15 and the sellout crowd at Jersey Mike's Arena chanted and "Overrated" in the closing minutes as the Scarlet Knights fans enjoyed their team's ninth win in the last 10 over Indiana.
BIG PICTURE
Indiana: This was poor performance by the Hoosiers. They are bound to take a tumble.
Rutgers: This was a big win for Rutgers, which was coming off a road loss at Miami. They are 6-0 at home.
UP NEXT
Indiana: Conference home opener against Nebraska on Wednesday.
Rutgers: At No. 25 Ohio State on Thursday.
