PISCATAWAY – The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (7-7) opened 2026 with their third loss in Big Ten play, falling 80-73 against the Ohio State Buckeyes (10-3).
The past two games for Rutgers guard Tariq Francis have been a unique one, to say the least. Following a sensational game-winning basket against Penn on December 20, the NJIT transfer dominated on Monday against Delaware State with a team-high 19 points. Both games saw the guard from Pittsburgh come off the bench.
Coming off the bench once more for the Scarlet Knights, Francis dazzled in the early portion of the contest. Francis led all scorers with 15 points in the first half and looked unguardable for the opposing Buckeyes. Francis would conclude the evening, however, with 17 points and just two points coming in the second half.
As a whole, the Scarlet Knights entered Friday’s contest on a bit of a mini hot streak. Riding a two-game winning streak, Rutgers wanted to taste their first victory in Big Ten competition this season. Having already fallen to national championship contenders in Purdue and Michigan early last month, Ohio State seemed like the perfect opportunity to get a win.
The Buckeyes are powered by one of the top scorers in the nation in guard Bruce Thornton (entered Friday averaging 21 pts/g). Needless to say, it wasn’t an easy task for Rutgers.
Early on, however, the home side had the advantage. Up 39-24 with 3:47 remaining in the first half, it seemed like the Scarlet Knights would cruise to their first league win. At one point, the Rutgers faithful erupted for three tremendous scoring moments that highlighted how incredible the atmosphere was at Jersey Mike’s Arena.
First, Rutgers’ talented sophomore guard Dylan Grant bodied Thornton down low to extend Rutgers’ lead to 28- 22. Grant would quickly score again, completing an alley-oop sequence thanks to a terrific feed from forward Bryce Dortch. Dortch would then slam it in to make it 32-24 Rutgers, leading to Ohio State calling a timeout with 6:29 left in the first half.
BRYCE DORTCH ⚡️ Bringing the energy!#TheKnighthood🛡️⚔️ pic.twitter.com/FREQtgW003
— Rutgers Men’s Basketball 🏀 (@RutgersMBB) January 3, 2026
Leading 41-37 at halftime, a win wasn’t a guarantee for Rutgers. That was put to the test in large part thanks to the Buckeyes’ stellar guard in Thornton. After a decent seven-point, four-rebound first half, the veteran proved why he’s among the best in the nation in terms of scoring.
With 13 points and shooting 6-for-9 from the field in the last 20 minutes of the contest, the Scarlet Knights struggled to contain him. By the end of the contest, Thornton grabbed 10 rebounds as well to earn the double-double.
“He [Bruce Thornton] is truly one of the most underrated players in the country and could be up for player of the year,” Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell said postgame. “I don’t know why I don’t hear his name out there like that. He’s a problem and I’m glad he’s graduating.”
It was not only Thornton who turned it up in the second half for the visiting Buckeyes. After just three points in the first half, forward Devin Royal was crucial in the second half for Ohio State, scoring 13 points.
Following Friday’s loss, Rutgers remains at the bottom of the Big Ten standings. The Scarlet Knights will look to rebound Monday night against the Oregon Ducks, who picked up their first conference win of the season on Friday against Maryland. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. on Peacock this Monday.
