Fansided

Corey Sanders leads Rutgers to first ever Big Ten road win

By Casey Pazzalia

Feb 4, 2017; University Park, PA, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Corey Sanders (3) dribbles the ball as Penn State Nittany Lions forward Payton Banks (0) defends during the second half at Bryce Jordan Center. Rutgers defeated Penn State 70-68. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; University Park, PA, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Corey Sanders (3) dribbles the ball as Penn State Nittany Lions forward Payton Banks (0) defends during the second half at Bryce Jordan Center. Rutgers defeated Penn State 70-68. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports /
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With their 70-68 triumph at Penn State, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights earned their first ever Big Ten road win.

Since joining the mighty Big Ten Conference in 2014-15, it hasn’t been too pretty for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Coming into this season, their overall record was 3-33 in conference play, complete with zero wins as the away team.

Things have changed big time in East Piscataway since Rutgers hired Steve Pikiell as their head coach. With a young roster, Pikiell led Rutgers to a 11-2 non-conference record, showing massive signs of improvement in the process.

Once Big Ten play started in December, the Scarlet Knights continued to improve and bring maximum effort. Although, it didn’t transfer into the win column (1-9 Big Ten), Rutgers has played almost every team tough and even took No. 15 Wisconsin into overtime.

Rutgers’ lone conference win came against Nebraska at home, matching their Big Ten win total from 2015-16.

With an NIT berth still on their wish list, the Scarlet Knights came out firing on the road against a tough Penn State team. Despite shooting only 56.5 percent (13 for 23) from the free throw line, Rutgers outlasted the Nittany Lions 70-68 . The victory was the program’s first ever road win since joining the Big Ten.

Like usual, it was what Rutgers did on the defensive end that sealed the game. With five seconds left in regulation, Penn State’s Tony Carr had the ball with a chance to win or go to overtime. As Carr drove into the lane, Rutgers Deshawn Freeman challenged the shot at the rim, forcing him to miss badly.

Throughout the year, the Scarlet Knights’ calling card has been their defense. Steve Pikiell demands supreme effort from his team and it’s shown in the numbers. So far in 2016-17, Rutgers has cut their points allowed from 81 in 2015-16, to just 66.3 this year.

In addition to their big defensive stop, Rutgers got a boost from their superstar guard Corey Sanders. Playing all but one minute of the game, Sanders led the way with 25 points, six rebounds, and three steals. In what was his best performance of the season, Corey Sanders again proved that he is a potential NBA Draft pick.

Corey Sanders 25 point performance seems to a magic number for Rutgers. In the Scarlet Knights other Big Ten win (66-65 vs. Nebraska), Sanders also led the way with 25 points. Sanders is averaging 15.6 points in Rutgers 11 conference games.

With a current record of 13-11, Rutgers needs to carry their momentum down the stretch in order to finish at .500 in the standings. If the Scarlet Knights can finish at .500, an NIT berth will be a strong possibility. It would be their first time making the NIT since 2005-06.

Next: Week 13: Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings

The Scarlet Knights next game is on February 8, a winnable matchup on the road versus Ohio State (14-10).