Northwestern guard Chase Audige reacts as he misses a dunk during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Rutgers in Evanston, Ill., Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) - Jacob Young scored 19 points and Ron Harper Jr. scored all 13 of his in the second half and Rutgers held off Northwestern for a 64-56 win Sunday night.
Harper's three-point play gave Rutgers a 55-40 lead with 6:24 to go before the Wildcats went on a 10-0 run but they never got closer than five the rest of the way.
Geo Baker added 12 points for Scarlet Knights, which overcame 18 turnovers with 20 committed by Northwestern.
The Scarlet Knights (10-6, 6-6 Big Ten Conference) picked up where they left off from their 30-point blowout win over Michigan State on Thursday night and raced to a 22-6 lead over the Wildcats.
Young's 3-pointer with 8:50 before halftime pushed the lead to 31-11. Northwestern (6-9, 3-8 Big Ten Conference) proceeded to wake up and ran off 13 straight to reduce it deficit to seven; and Rutgers went to halftime up 34-29.
Baker emerged from the break to hit a pair of jump shots for a 38-31 lead and the Scarlet Knights were largely in control the rest of the way.
Miller Kopp scored 15 points for Northwestern and Chase Audige and Ryan Young 14 apiece.
Rutgers has won three straight following a six-game skid and Northwestern has dropped eight in a row.
Rutgers returns home to face No. 21-ranked Minnesota on Thursday while Northwestern is scheduled to travel to play at Purdue on Saturday.
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Northwestern forward Pete Nance, center, reacts as he battles for a rebound against Rutgers guard/forward Ron Harper Jr., left, and guard Caleb McConnell during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
Northwestern center Ryan Young, center, shoots against Rutgers guard Paul Mulcahy, left, and guard/forward Ron Harper Jr., during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell watches his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
Rutgers guard/forward Ron Harper Jr., left, shoots against Northwestern forward Pete Nance during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
Northwestern forward Miller Kopp, right, shoots against Rutgers guard/forward Ron Harper Jr., during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
Rutgers guard Montez Mathis, right, shoots against Northwestern forward Robbie Beran during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
Northwestern head coach Chris Collins reacts as he watches his team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Rutgers in Evanston, Ill., Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
Northwestern forward Pete Nance, left, shoots over Rutgers center Myles Johnson, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
Rutgers center Myles Johnson, left, shoots against Northwestern center Ryan Young, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press