Francis’ Game-Winnings Three Lifts Rutgers Past Penn, 70–69

Rutgers Pulls Off Buzzer-Beater Thriller, Tops penn 70-69 At Jersey Mike’s arena

Piscataway, NJ – Tariq Francis capped a night of scoring brilliance with a dramatic buzzer-beater, lifting Rutgers to a 70-69 victory over Penn before a sellout crowd of 8,000 at Jersey Mike’s Arena.

After Penn rode a late surge to grab a two-point edge with 23 seconds left, the Scarlet Knights manufactured one last opportunity. Francis advanced the ball in transition, rising from the top of the arc and calmly drilling a contested three as time expired to clinch the comeback win.

Francis finished with a career-best 34 points on 9-for-14 shooting, earning 19 trips to the free-throw line and converting 15. He also added two steals and logged a team-high 28 minutes as Rutgers snapped a rough stretch of games.

The Knights trailed for most of the first half,at one point by eight as Penn capitalized on second-chance opportunities and early perimeter scoring. Francis kept Rutgers within striking distance, tallying 14 points before the break and closing the half with a jumper at the buzzer to make it 33-29.

Rutgers flipped the script after halftime, ratcheting up defense and improving ball movement. The Scarlet Knights evened the score at 39-39 on a Francis fast-break layup off a steal at 15:55 of the second half, sparking a 7-0 run that gave Rutgers its first led since the opening minutes.

The final 10 minutes were a back-and-forth battle, featuring nine lead changes and four ties. penn’s TJ Power scored 19 points with 13 rebounds, while Dalton Scantlebury added 13 for the Quakers. each time Penn threatened to pull away, Francis answered with attacks to the rim and steady trips to the line.

In the closing minute, Francis converted six straight free throws to keep Rutgers within a possession. After Penn miss two late free throws, the Scarlet Knights secured the rebound and pushed the pace, setting up the game-winning shot as time expired.

Rutgers’ victory was powered by 21 fast-break points and a relentless defensive effort that pressured Penn into 17 turnovers. Fellow contributors included Darren Buchanan Jr.(six points, six rebounds) and Dylan Grant (eight points), who helped steady Rutgers down the stretch.

Penn shot 43 percent from the field, keeping the game within reach despite stretches of offensive drought for Rutgers. Sophomore Bryce Dortch grabbed nine rebounds and blocked a career-high five shots,while Grant and Jamichael Davis each added eight points. Buchanan Jr. chipped in six points and six boards.

Postgame notes highlighted the significance of the win: Rutgers’ first over Penn since 1975 and, notably, a second straight season with a win over an Ivy League foe (following a victory over Columbia on December 30, 2025). Francis’s 34-point, career night stood as the centerpiece of Rutgers’ resurgence, and Dortch’s interior presence gave the knights a critical edge on both ends.

Postgame Thoughts

Rutgers head coach voiced pride in how his team responded after a demanding stretch and praised the late-game composure. He also cited the value of their full-court pressure and the evolving contributions from a deep group,noting that the Knights will continue to need everyone as they face a suite of tougher opponents.

Penn head coach Fran McCaffrey attributed the loss to late game fouling and missed opportunities at the line, while acknowledging Rutgers’ defensive effort and their ability to pressure the ball. he also commended Rutgers’ depth and continuity, which carried them through a tight finish.

Key Figures

Rutgers: Tariq Francis (34 points, career high), Bryce dortch (nine rebounds, five blocks, career high), Dylan Grant (eight points), Darren Buchanan Jr. (six points,six rebounds).

Penn: TJ Power (19 points, 13 rebounds), Dalton Scantlebury (13 points).

In-Game Highlights

• Francis delivers a game-winner from the top of the arc at the buzzer.
• Rutgers overturns a late deficit with key stops and timely scoring.
• Rutgers finishes with 21 fast-break points and 17 forced turnovers.

Table: Quick facts

Fact	Rutgers	Penn
Final score	Rutgers 70	Penn 69
Attendance	8,000	–
Top Rutgers scorer	Tariq Francis (34)	–
Top Penn scorer	–	TJ Power (19)
Fast-break points	21	–
Forced turnovers	17	–
Notable stat	Francis: career-high 34 points, 19 free-throw attempts	T.J. Power: 19 points, 13 rebounds

evergreen insights

This game underscored how late-game execution can rewrite a contest. A composed,pressure-forward approach and a willingness to ride a hot hand-Francis-can flip the momentum when margins are slim. Rutgers showed depth beyond its star, as Dortch’s interior defense and Grant’s steadiness helped stabilize the finish.For teams, this kind of result demonstrates the value of resilience, disciplined defense, and adroit use of transition opportunities in close games. It also highlights how a single dramatic moment can become a rallying point for a program heading into a demanding portion of the schedule.

Reader questions

1) How much did Rutgers’ late-game pressure and transition play influence your view of their ceiling this season?

2) Which performance stood out most to you: Francis’ scoring night, Dortch’s rim protection, or the Knights’ willingness to pull away late?

Breaking news follows: Rutgers continues to build momentum as it prepares for upcoming foes, with the memorable win over Penn a potential catalyst for a stronger stretch run.

Three seals the win in the final minute.

Game‑Winning Three Secures Rutgers’ 70-69 Victory Over Penn

Game Overview

• Date & Venue: February 28, 2025 – Jersey Mike Morrison Arena, New Jersey.
• Final Score: Rutgers Scarlet Knights 70, Penn Quakers 69.
• Key Moment: Senior guard Jordan Francis drills a 22‑foot three‑pointer with 3.2 seconds left,giving rutgers a one‑point lead that holds for the final possession.

Scoring Summary (by quarter)

Quarter	Rutgers	Penn	Notable Runs
1st	18	12	Rutgers opens with a 6‑0 stretch.
2nd	15	21	Penn surges on a 9‑2 run, takes a 33‑33 tie.
3rd	14	14	Defensive lull; both teams exchange leads.
4th	23	22	Francis’ three seals the win in the final minute.

Francis’ Clutch Three: Play‑by‑Play

1. Set‑up: With 0:09 on the clock, Rutgers trails 68‑69 after a missed free throw.
2. possession: Francis receives the inbound,dribbles past the half‑court line,and spots a defender boxing him out.
3. Shot: He rises for a contested three‑pointer from the right wing.
4. Result: The ball swishes cleanly, shifting the lead to 70‑69.
5. Aftermath: Penn attempts a swift three‑point try,but the shot arcs wide,and Rutgers secures the rebound for the final possession.

“When I saw the clock ticking, I just trusted my rhythm,” Francis said in the post‑game interview. “Coach trusted me to make the play, and I wanted to deliver for our guys.”

Key Performers

• Rutgers Scarlet Knights
• Jordan Francis (Guard): 18 points, 4 assists, 2 steals – 6/8 from three‑point range, including the game‑winner.
• Jalen Guerra (Forward): 14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks – dominant inside presence.
• Mason Lee (Guard): 12 points, 5 assists – orchestrated the second‑quarter comeback.

• Penn Quakers
• Ethan Kelley (Guard): 22 points, 3 rebounds – led Penn’s scoring with a 6‑3 three‑point night.
• Sam Rogers (Forward): 15 points,9 rebounds – near double‑double,controlled the paint.
• Tyler Huff (Guard): 10 points, 4 assists – contributed key steals in the final minutes.

Statistical Breakdown

• Field‑Goal %: Rutgers 45.8 % (27/59) vs. Penn 44.2 % (26/59)
• Three‑Point %: Rutgers 41.7 % (10/24) vs.Penn 38.5 % (10/26)
• Free‑Throw %: Rutgers 78.6 % (11/14) vs. Penn 71.4 % (10/14)
• Rebounds: Rutgers 38 (12 offensive) vs. Penn 34 (9 offensive)
• Turnovers: Rutgers 9 vs. Penn 11

Impact on Rutgers’ Season

1. Conference standing: The win lifts Rutgers to 7‑5 in Big Ten play, moving them into the top‑four seed for the upcoming conference tournament.
2. Momentum: Back‑to‑back victories (previous win over Maryland) give the Scarlet Knights a four‑game winning streak, the longest as the 2022‑23 season.
3. Player Confidence: Francis’ clutch performance solidifies his role as a primary late‑game option, increasing his usage rate to 28 % in the next two games.

Takeaways for Penn

• Defensive Gaps in the Final Minute: Penn’s inability to force a contested shot on the final possession highlights a need for tighter perimeter defense.
• Rebound Margins: Falling short by four offensive rebounds limited second‑chance opportunities, a statistic Penn aims to improve in the next matchup.
• Free‑Throw Execution: Missing two crucial free throws in the last two minutes contributed directly to the loss; focusing on free‑throw consistency will be a priority in practice.

Practical Tips for Coaches (Based on This Game)

• Late‑Game Play‑Calling: Incorporate set plays that free up your primary shooter (e.g., a “guard‑up” screen) when the clock winds down.
• Defensive Switching: Practice quick switches on pick‑and‑rolls to prevent open three‑point looks in crucial moments.
• Rebounding Drills: Emphasize boxing out after missed three‑point attempts; securing the ball can halt opponent momentum.

Fan Reaction & Social Media Buzz

• Hashtag #FrancisClutch trended locally on Twitter with over 4,200 mentions within the first hour of the game’s conclusion.
• Archyde.com analytics show a 23 % increase in page views for the Rutgers basketball tag on the day of the win, indicating heightened fan interest.
• Student Section: Rutgers’ “scarlet Squad” posted a video of the three‑pointer that amassed 1.1 M views on TikTok, helping the game gain national visibility.

Future Outlook

• Next fixture for Rutgers: March 3, 2025 vs. Indiana Hoosiers – a top‑5 opponent that will test the scarlet Knights’ defensive resilience and francis’ shooting consistency.
• Penn’s Upcoming Challenge: March 2, 2025 vs. harvard Crimson – an Ivy League showdown where Penn will aim to rebound from the narrow defeat and refine end‑game execution.

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