Freshman star Ace Bailey scored 24 of his 37 points in the first half and Rutgers picked up a rare road win Wednesday with a 79-72 victory over Northwestern at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston.
Bailey missed his school freshman record by two points but had his third 30-plus-point game, shooting 13 of 20 from the field, including a career-high five 3-pointers on eight attempts. He also had six rebounds and three blocks.
Tyson Acuff added 13 points for the Scarlet Knights (11-10, 4-5 Big Ten), who were without another standout freshman, point guard Dylan Harper (18.6 ppg), who missed the game with an ankle injury.
Rutgers won just its second true road game against a Northwestern team that came in 25-3 at home over the last two seasons, including 11-1 this year.
Jalen Leach had 23 points, Nick Martinelli had 16 points and 10 rebounds and Brooks Barnhizer added 10 for the Wildcats (12-9, 3-7).
Bailey hit 9 of 10 shots, including all four of his 3s, and the Scarlet Knights shot 57% to lead 43-35 at the break. It’s not as if Northwestern struggled, shooting 54%, and Martinelli and Leach both had 10, but Bailey was almost unstoppable.
The Wildcats jumped to a 13-4 lead but shortly after that Bailey scored 10 straight Rutgers points, and Jamichael Davis’ 3-pointer gave the Scarlet Knights a 20-18 advantage.
Rutgers went 4 of 12 through the first 10 minutes of the second half but Northwestern was just 3 of 18 and never got closer than seven points in the last 10 minutes.
Michigan visits Rutgers and No. 17 Wisconsin is at Northwestern on Saturday.
