Game recap: Indiana basketball falls to Rutgers as Xavier Johnson is ejected (2025)

Indiana basketball, coming off a hard-fought home win, visits Rutgers.

The Hoosiers (11-4, 3-1) beat Ohio State, committing just 4 turnovers, making 5-of-12 3-pointers and holding OSU to 36.2% shooting. IU was -22 on rebounds. IU's leaders: Malik Reneau (16.5 points, 47.8% on 3s, 5.8 rebounds), Kel'el Ware (14.8 points, 8.8 rebounds), Trey Galloway (10.5 points, 3.7 assists) and Xavier Johnson (10.1 points).

The Scarlet Knights (8-6, 0-3) lost at Ohio State and Iowa last week. Rutgers hits the offensive boards hard (31 total in last week's games) to get second opportunities. Rutgers' leaders: Aundre Hyatt (11.9 points, 5.8 rebounds); Clifford Omoruyi (10.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.4 blocked shots); Mawot Mag (10.3 points, 4.7 rebounds); Derek Simpson (9.7 points, 2.8 assists).

The teams split their games last season, with each team winning at home.

Zach Osterman and Michael Niziolek are your best IU basketball follows, and we'll have highlights here, so please remember to refresh.

Indiana vs. Rutgers player ratings:We handed out our first ZERO

Tossed:Xavier Johnson ejected for hitting Rutgers player down low

Final: Rutgers 66, Indiana 57

Road IU and home IU appear to be very different teams. The Hoosiers – who lost by 16 points at Nebraska last week – had long scoring droughts in each half and haven't at Rutgers since 2018.

Mackenzie Mgbako has 13 points and 5 rebounds, Kel'el Ware has 13 points, 17 rebounds and 3 blocked shots, and Malik Reneau has 13 points with 7 assists with 6 rebounds.

Hoosiers guard Xavier Johnson is ejected early in the second half.

IU commits 18 turnovers, goes 7-of-26 from 3-point range and 4-of-15 on free throws.

Mawot Mag has 13 points and Aundre Hyatt has 12 for Rutgers (9-6, 1-3), which holds a +11 rebound advantage.

IU (11-5, 3-2) hosts Minnesota on Friday night.

5:51 left 2H: Rutgers 51, Indiana 38

Anthony Walker throws a pass directly to Rutgers for a dunk on one play, then double dribbles on the next. The Scarlet Knights have a 12-point run over 5+ minutes.

8:58 left 2H: Rutgers 45, Indiana 38

The Scarlet Knights have 3 3-pointers in the second half after hitting just 2 in the first half. Timeout, IU.

11:13 left 2H: Rutgers 39, Indiana 38

Malik Reneau is up to 10 points with a few strong inside baskets. IU is 3-of-12 on 3-pointers and 3-of-10 on free throws.

13:10 left 2H: Xavier Johnson is ejected

The IU guard delivers a hit below the belt and is tossed. Antwone Woolfolk misses both free throws. C.J. Gunn is in.

14:51 left 2H: Rutgers 36, Indiana 30

Kel'el Ware's free throw at the 16:42 mark, IU's first made FT of the night, marks the Hoosiers' first scoring of the half. Ware has 9 points and 11 rebounds.

Halftime: Rutgers 30, Indiana 27

Derek Simpson banks in a 35-footer at the buzzer.

Mackenzie Mgbako hits a 3-pointer with 2:06 to go to give IU a 25-23 lead. That snaps a 7-minute+ drought.

Kel'el Ware has 8 points and 7 rebounds.

IU is forcing drives, leading to 11 turnovers. It is also shooting more 3-pointers than usual, and is just 3-of-10.

The Scarlet Knights are hitting just 32.4% from the field (18.2% on 3s). Jamichael Davis has 6 points.

3:38 left 1H: Indiana 20, Rutgers 19

IU's starters can't score, either. Gabe Cupps scored its last basket, a reverse layup with 9:14 to go. But the same goes for Rutgers, which is shooting 26.7% overall, 10% from 3-point range.

5:22 left 1H: Indiana 20, Rutgers 19

IU plays four reserves for several minutes, and gets no offense for 4 minutes. Timeout to get the starters back in.

8:00 1H: Indiana 20, Rutgers 17

Kel'el Ware has 6 points, 3 rebounds and a blocked shot. He is also 0-of-2 on free throws. The Hoosiers are shooting 64.3% from the field but have 7 turnovers.

11:19 left 1H: Indiana 14, Rutgers 9

C.J. Gunn's first shot, a 3 from the right corner, is true.

Here's Kel'el Ware's first basket.

15:21 left 1H: Indiana 9, Rutgers 7

IU scores 7 straight points.

Indiana had 4 turnovers against Ohio State. It has 4 in the opening stint. Rutgers also has 4 TOs.

Mowat Mag has 5 points for the Scarlet Knights.

What time is Indiana basketball vs. Rutgers?

7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, at Jersey Mike's Arena in Piscataway, New Jersey.

What channel is IU basketball vs. Rutgers on?

TV: Peacock

Radio: Indiana Hoosiers Sports Network (105.1 FM in Bloomington, 93.1 FM in Indianapolis), with Don Fischer (play-by-play), Errek Suhr (analysis) and John Herrick (updates)

Streaming: SiriusXM Channels 389 and 979 (Rutgers feed on Channel 85), Varsity Network, ESPN+,Fubo,Paramount+,Sling

Who is favored in Indiana basketball vs. Rutgers?

via BetMGM

Favorite: Rutgers by 2.5 points

Over/under: 140.5 total points

Moneyline: Rutgers -150, Indina +125

ESPN's matchup predictor gives Rutgers a 71.7% chance of winning.

Indiana basketball news

More:Months after former IU basketball manager dies from ALS, he lives on at Duke vs Pitt game

Insider:Mike Woodson challenges his IU team. Here's how it responds.

Indiana basketball schedule

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.