PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Juwan Morgan had 24 points and eight rebounds and Robert Johnson scored 19 points to lead Indiana past Rutgers 65-43 on Monday night.
Indiana (13-12, 6-7 Big Ten) opened a 42-22 lead with 12½ minutes remaining after Josh Newkirk found Collin Hartman for a 3-pointer. Indiana would lead by as many 24.
Rutgers was held under 10 points until 6:31 left in the first half, when Geo Baker hit a 3-pointer to make it 24-11.
Rutgers (12-14, 2-11) was led by Deshawn Freeman, who had 13 points, eight rebounds and three steals, as the Scarlet Knights shot 24.1 percent (13-of-54) from the field and tied their lowest scoring output of the season. Baker finished with 10 points.
Big picture
Indiana: The Hoosiers climbed closer to .500 in the Big Ten as they try to move up in the standings. While first place is a three-team race, teams in the middle of the pack are jockeying for position in the Big Ten Tournament.
Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights continue to struggle without Mike Williams (ankle) and Eugene Omoruyi (knee). Rutgers is now sitting in the basement of the Big Ten standings. The Scarlet Knights have lost six in a row and eight of their last nine.
Up next
Indiana: Host Minnesota on Friday night.
Rutgers: At Nebraska on Saturday afternoon.
INDIANA (13-12): McSwain 0-3 4-4 4, Morgan 10-14 1-5 24, McRoberts 0-0 0-0 0, R.Johnson 7-13 2-6 19, Green 4-7 0-1 9, Hartman 1-4 0-0 3, J.Smith 1-5 0-0 2, Moore 0-1 0-0 0, Jager 0-0 0-0 0, Durham 1-4 0-0 3, Newkirk 0-4 1-2 1. Totals 24-55 8-18 65.
RUTGERS (12-14): Freeman 3-11 7-9 13, Doucoure 2-6 0-0 4, Baker 4-11 0-2 10, Sanders 1-11 6-8 9, Thiam 1-6 0-0 2, Bullock 1-2 0-3 2, Sa 0-2 0-0 0, Nathan 0-1 0-0 0, Doorson 0-1 0-0 0, Mensah 0-1 0-0 0, Dadika 1-2 0-2 3. Totals 13-54 13-24 43.
Halftime_Indiana 26-16. 3-Point Goals_Indiana 9-20 (Morgan 3-4, R.Johnson 3-6, Green 1-1, Durham 1-3, Hartman 1-4, Newkirk 0-2), Rutgers 4-14 (Baker 2-4, Dadika 1-2, Sanders 1-4, Sa 0-1, Freeman 0-1, Thiam 0-2). Fouled Out_None. Rebounds_Indiana 37 (McSwain 9), Rutgers 37 (Freeman 8). Assists_Indiana 14 (Green 4), Rutgers 5 (Freeman, Sanders 2). Total Fouls_Indiana 23, Rutgers 17.