Pesky Piscataway Performance Pulls Upset Win in Double Overtime

Mike Rice is in his second year as the head coach of the Rutgers men's basketball team. In his first head coaching position, Rice led Robert Morris University to three regular season conference championships in three years. Two of the seasons, the Colonials made it to the NCAA tournament. These tournament appearances were the first for the university since 1992.

Coach Rice has been trying to bring that winning success to Piscataway, New Jersey. It has been an uphill climb for the team for the past two decades. The Scarlet Knights' last tournament appearance was in 1991. Their last tournament win dates back to 1983.

The #10 Florida Gators entered the game coming off a big win over in-state rival Florida State. The Gators controlled most of the game and seemed to be set to secure the win tonight when they got their lead up to seven points with 2:49 left in regulation. But the Scarlet Knights refused to give up. The team rallied to tie the score at 66 and even had a shot to win at the buzzer, but it went begging.

The game was headed to overtime. With 31 seconds left in overtime, Gator sophomore Patric Young made two free throws to give his team a three point lead. However, the night belonged to a freshman Scarlet Knight named Eli Carter. Carter came off a screen and made a contested three pointer to tie the score with 22 seconds left. Florida had a chance to win it, but some tough Rutgers defense forced a turnover.

This one had a date with double overtime. In double overtime, the Scarlet Knights gained their largest lead of the night, 82-78, when Carter made a jumper with 1:46 to go. The next possession, Florida freshman Bradley Beal answered with a three pointer. Carter drew the Gators' attention and then kicked out to Myles Mack for three. He made it. Erving Walker responded with a jumper to trim the Rutgers lead to two. Rutgers' next possession ended in a shot clock violation, which gave the Gators the chance to tie the score once more. Walker tried to drive into the lane, but some tough Scarlet Knights defense caused him to take a tough jump shot that rattled off the rim.

That was it. Rutgers had pulled the improbable upset. Freshman Eli Carter finished with a season-high 31 points and demonstrated spectacular, clutch leadership. After the game Carter said, "My teammates had confidence in me. I took the big shot and made it."

Coach Rice had been trying to get his players to buy into his system and believe in it. Tonight, he got the signature, non-conference upset he needed to get his players, community, and fan base to believe in him. The Scarlet Knights might finally be ready to climb out of the Big East cellar.

Game highlights: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:7402231

Post-game interview of Coach Rice and Eli Carter: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:7402273