![\"NCAA](\"https:\/\/images.deadspin.com\/tr:w-900\/28331271.jpg\")
Feb 24, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Darren Buchanan Jr. (5) rebounds against Washington Huskies center Lathan Sommerville (24) during the second half at Jersey Mike’s Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\nTariq Francis scored 19 points as Rutgers pulled off a wild, split-personality Big Ten victory, 69-65, over Maryland, Sunday in College Park, Md.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Darren Buchanan Jr. scored eight of his 14 points in the final eight minutes for the Scarlet Knights (12-17, 5-13), who blew a 20-point lead but gathered themselves late to complete a regular season sweep of the Terrapins.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Jamichael Davis chipped in with 12 points and three steals as Rutgers won for the third time in its last five games and kept its hope alive of avoiding a first-round game in the Big Ten tournament.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n After missing 9 of 10 shots during a span of nearly 10 minutes in the second half, the Scarlet Knights rediscovered their offense in the final eight minutes as they scored 22 points.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n In the final 27 seconds, Rutgers made nine straight free throws, including four by Francis and three by Davis, to wrap up the win.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Scarlet Knights are tied with Northwestern for 14th place in the 18-team league. The bottom four finishers in the regular season play in the opening round of the tournament March 10 in Chicago.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Solomon Washington and Andre Mills scored 15 points apiece and Elijah Saunders added 11 points and 14 rebounds to pace Maryland (11-18, 4-14).<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Mills and Washington added 10 and seven rebounds apiece to help the Terrapins to a 50-26 edge on the boards that went for naught.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n In the opening minutes, Rutgers took a 5-0 lead as Lino Mark drained a 3-pointer and Maryland missed its first five shots.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Midway through the first half, Kaden Powers hit a triple to trigger a 19-4 Scarlet Knights run, which included two steals by Davis that he turned into breakaway baskets.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Francis added eight points during the spree, including the final two at the free-throw line, which gave Rutgers its biggest lead of the game 36-16.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Francis closed the half with a buzzer-beating transition 3 putting the Scarlet Knights up 39-20 at the break.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Rutgers’ domination of the period came despite a 27-10 disadvantage on the boards. Maryland had 10 offensive rebounds but turned them into only three second-chance points.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Making a bigger difference in the first half was the turnover margin, 14-1, in favor of the Scarlet Knights.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Terrapins emerged from the locker room looking like a different team as Saunders and Mills fueled a 20-2 run with 3-pointers.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Washington finished the spree with a three-point play as Maryland took its first lead, 48-47, with 11:26 left, before Rutgers regained its composure.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n –Field Level Media<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n