Rutgers Snaps Skid with Gritty Win Over Maryland, Fueled by Freshman Spark and Late-Game Poise
Rutgers badly needed this one-and they got it.
After seven straight losses and a stretch that threatened to derail their season entirely, the Scarlet Knights dug deep on Sunday and came away with a 68-57 win over Maryland in Piscataway. It wasn’t pretty, but it was gritty. And for a team that’s been searching for answers, it was a much-needed step in the right direction.
This win does more than just snap Rutgers’ longest losing streak in eight years-it keeps them in the fight. At 10-15 overall and 3-11 in Big Ten play, the Scarlet Knights are now tied with Maryland for 14th in the conference standings.
That’s significant, because a top-14 finish earns a first-round bye in the Big Ten Tournament. In a year where every small edge matters, that’s a big deal.
Freshman Harun Zrno Steps Up Big
The breakout performance came from freshman guard Harun Zrno, who delivered a timely spark in the second half. Zrno poured in 11 of his 13 points during a crucial 19-7 run to open the half. That stretch flipped the game on its head and gave Rutgers the cushion it needed to take control.
Zrno’s performance wasn’t just about the points-it was about timing. He hit shots when Rutgers needed them most, showing poise beyond his years in a game that had little margin for error. For a team that’s struggled to find consistent offense, seeing a freshman step up in a pressure moment is a promising sign.
Tariq Francis Closes the Door
While Zrno helped build the lead, junior guard Tariq Francis made sure it stuck. Francis scored 11 of his game-high 21 points in the final five minutes, keeping Maryland at bay every time the Terrapins tried to claw back. He was the closer Rutgers has been missing during this skid-confident, aggressive, and composed.
Francis’ late-game scoring came in a variety of ways: attacking off the dribble, getting to the line, and knocking down key jumpers. It was the kind of veteran performance that teams lean on in tight conference battles, and it came at exactly the right time.
Winning Ugly-But Winning
Let’s be honest: this game wasn’t going on any highlight reels. Rutgers shot just 41.5% from the field and a rough 27.8% from three.
The first half, in particular, was tough to watch-just 34.5% shooting, 1-of-9 from deep, and only two made buckets at the rim. They turned it over eight times and had nearly as many shots blocked (1) as they made near the basket (2).
Defensively, Rutgers had its hands full inside. Maryland racked up 26 points in the paint and grabbed 18 offensive rebounds, turning those into 13 second-chance points. The Terrapins were 8-of-14 at the rim in the first half alone, and Rutgers gave up seven offensive boards on 23 misses-a 30% rate that usually spells trouble.
But despite all that, Rutgers found a way. They tightened up in the second half, leaned on their guards, and made just enough plays to pull away. The 19-7 burst out of the locker room gave them momentum, and they never let go of the lead from there.
What’s Next
With this win, Rutgers stays in the mix for that all-important top-14 Big Ten finish. They’re one game behind Minnesota for 13th, a half-game ahead of Oregon, and a full game up on both Northwestern and Penn State.
And speaking of Penn State-that’s who’s next. Rutgers heads to State College on Wednesday looking for something they haven’t done yet this season: win back-to-back conference games. It’s another chance to build momentum, stay in the postseason hunt, and show that this team hasn’t given up on the year.
Sunday’s win wasn’t flawless. But it was tough, it was timely, and it might just be the spark Rutgers needs to turn the page.